basal energy expenditure
ABBR: BEE
The energy used by an individual who is at rest but not asleep. The BEE (expressed as calories) may be calculated by using the Harris-Benedict equations. These account for sex, age, height, and weight. If the individual is sedentary, moderately active, or engaged in strenuous activity, 30%, 40%, or 50%, respectively, are added to the BEE.
SEE: diet; dietetics; food.
The Harris-Benedict equation involves W (weight in kg), H (height in cm), and A (age in years). The formulae are:
For women: BEE = 6.55 + (9.6 × W) + (1.8 × H) – (4.7 × A)
For men: BEE = 6.6 + (13.7 × W) + (5 × H) – (6.8 × A)
Hospitalized patients who are nonstressed require 20% more calories than for basal needs.
Energy expended is increased by about 13% over basal needs for each degree centigrade of fever; burn and trauma patients require 40% to 100% more calories than for basal requirements.