What units are typically used when measuring basal metabolic rate?

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is commonly measured in kilocalories per day because it represents the amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutral temperature environment. It reflects the energy required for the body to maintain basic physiological functions such as breathing, circulation, and cell production.

Kilocalories provide a practical scale for the energy consumption in relation to human nutrition, as they align closely with the energy content of food and allow for easier calculation and understanding of dietary intake and energy expenditure over a period of time, especially on a daily basis.

Though energy can also be expressed in joules, calories per hour, or even milliliters per day (which is typically not used for energy measurement), kilocalories per day is the standard unit that nutritionists and health professionals typically use for assessing energy needs related to BMR. This usage simplifies dietary planning and helps individuals gauge their energy balance effectively over a longer term.