How to Calculate Metabolic Age

Metabolic age is different from chronological age. Your chronological age is your age by calendar years, while metabolic age depends on your metabolism or overall chemical processes of the body, which is based on your health. If your metabolic age is lower than your chronological age, you are fitter or in better health than average. If your metabolic age is higher than your chronological age, you are less fit and healthy than average.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator (optional) Computer with Internet access (if you choose to calculate it that way) Tanita scale (if you choose to calculate it that way)

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Calculate your basal metabolic rate or BMR by using the appropriate formula based on your gender.
  (Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
  Men: BMR = 666 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches ) - (6.8 x age in years)

• 2

  Compare your basal metabolic rate to those in your age group to determine your metabolic age.

• 3

  Calculate your metabolic age by using the calculator found in Resources below. Simply enter your height and weight in the appropriate boxes and get your results by clicking calculate.

• 4

  Use a scale to calculate your metabolic age, such as the Tanita. Supply your gender, age, height and weight, and the monitor gives you your metabolic age.

• 5

  Use your metabolic age to assess your health habits in comparison to peers of your own age.