Finding Your Metabolic Age and Learning Why It’s Important
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1 min read
Finding Your Metabolic Age and Learning Why It’s Important
As the years pass you by, it’s easy to start worrying about your age. But isn’t age just a number? What if your body is technically younger or older than your chronological age suggests? This is where metabolic age comes in.
What is Metabolic Age?
Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of calories your body burns while resting. It doesn’t take into account extra calories burned through exercise. Your metabolic age compares your BMR to the average BMR of other people your chronological age.
Metabolic age can be a helpful indicator of your physical health. For example, if your metabolic age is lower than your chronological age, that’s a sign of good physical health. Conversely, a higher metabolic age may suggest that you have health issues.
A lower metabolic age is typically found in people with more lean muscle, a healthier diet, and a more active lifestyle. A higher metabolic age is associated with a higher BMI, body fat, and blood pressure. These can be factors in developing cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, and diabetes.
How Do I Calculate My Metabolic Age?
Now that you know what metabolic age is, you might be wondering how you can calculate yours. The problem is that there’s currently no official way of measuring it. You need access to data that shows the metabolic age of other people your chronological age. Researchers or experts would use a special software or algorithm to calculate your metabolic age based on this data. This makes it difficult for the average Joe to easily find out their metabolic age.
Not to worry, Etekcity is here to help. Our HR Smart Fitness Scale uses bioelectrical impedance (BIA) technology to determine your metabolic age.
What’s a Healthy Metabolic Age?
A healthy metabolic age is roughly close to your chronological age. Your BMR is based on your sex, weight, height, and age. If your weight is high compared to your height, this will lead to a higher metabolic age. More lean muscle and a lower weight compared to your height will result in a lower metabolic age.
How Can I Improve My Metabolic Age?
The best way to improve your metabolic age is to live a healthier lifestyle overall. Here are a few tips.
- Stay Active. Having a leaner body with less fat leads to a lower metabolic age. Basic strength training and weightlifting will help your body build more muscle. Any physical activity that keeps you burning fat and losing weight can help bring down your metabolic age.
- Eat Healthier. Try adding more protein-rich foods to your diet to support muscle growth. Lean proteins such as fish, Greek yogurt, skinless white poultry, and tofu can help you build muscle while lowering fat.
- Get Plenty of Sleep. A good night’s sleep goes a long way toward maintaining a healthy mind and body. Getting at least 7–8 hours of sleep every night helps you recover from exercise, properly digest food, and become stronger.
Bottom Line
Tracking your metabolic age is a great way of tracking your fitness. A higher metabolic age may suggest some health issues, and a lower metabolic age is a sign of good health and fitness. A healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, a healthy diet, and plenty of sleep will help improve your metabolic age. If you’re not sure what your metabolic age is, remember that the Etekcity HR Smart Fitness Scale will do the hard math for you and provide you with an accurate metabolic age.
Note: The information provided in this content is intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice or expert guidance. Etekcity does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information provided. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice or consult subject matter experts for their specific concerns.
Sources:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/88030-calculate-metabolic-age/
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/difference-between-bmr-and-rmr
https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/metabolic-age
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6575031/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508