Excerpts reprinted from Principles & Labs for Fitness & Wellness by Werner Hoeger and Sharon Hoeger, with permission from Morton Publishing Company, copyright 1999.

        The Web site www.room42.com lists these factors that affect basal metabolism:

        • Gender — women carry more fat on their bodies, so BMR is 5 percent lower than men's.

        • Body condition — more lean muscle because of certain occupations or lifestyles, the higher BMR.

        • Hormone secretion — highest during teen years, higher BMR.

        • Body temperature — with each 1 degree increase in temperature, you get a 7% increase in BMR.

        • Pregnancy — raises BMR 20 percent.

        • Cigarette smoking — raises BMR 10 percent, although toxic effects cancel out any benefits.

        • Under-nutrition — as a body defense, BMR is lowered 20 percent.

        • Environmental temperature — lowest BMR values are at 78 degrees. .

        • Sleep — decreases BMR.

        • Age — BMR increases from birth to 2 years, then decreases, except during puberty.

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