Apple watch resting calories seem far too high

This formula is not actually a Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) formula, even though it states BMR. It is actually a Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) formula, and BMR and RMR are not the same. There can be a 10-20% difference in calories between BMR & RMR. RMR is higher, so if Apple (and many other apps and devices) are using RMR as BMR then they will over-estimate calories per day.

Here are the references for these:

Harris-Benedict equation actually RMR, not BMR: https://www.andeal.org/files/Docs/Frankenfield_et_al_2005%5B1%5D.pdf

Best practices for measuring RMR: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16720129

BMR & RMR differences, from the Institute of Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes For Carbohydrate, Fat, Fiber, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (pg 112).

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI/DRI_Energy/energy_full_report.pdf

"BMR is commonly extrapolated to 24 hours to be more meaningful, and it is then referred to as basal energy expenditure (BEE), expressed as

kcal/24 h. Resting metabolic rate (RMR), energy expenditure under resting conditions, tends to be somewhat higher (10 to 20 percent) than under

basal conditions due to increases in energy expenditure caused by recent food intake (i.e., by the “thermic effect of food”) or by the delayed effect

of recently completed physical activity (see Chapter 12). Thus, it is important to distinguish between BMR and RMR and between BEE and resting

energy expenditure (REE) (RMR extrapolated to 24 hours)."

While I understand that BMR and RMR are not the same thing, 2700 calories/day of resting calorie burn for a 5'4", 52 year old woman (before any measurable physical activity, as picked up by the watch) is clearly far beyond any reasonable estimate of RMR. There's a fundamental flaw with how the watch is handling resting calorie burn. With an estimated BMR of a little over 1500 calories, any other fitness device will have me at 1800/day max of total caloric burn on a sedentary day (typically on a day I telework and hardly leave my desk at home), which would be consistent with a 20% increase to account for the RMR. I never hit 2700 calories unless I've both been to the gym for a solid hour of cardio and have an otherwise active day (shopping all afternoon, cleaning, etc.).

Agreed. It's not a calibration thing because it's a fixed number down to the single calorie. The only time mine changes is when I input a new weight (which fluctuates) and even then, it's only by a few calories/day and stays at that new number until the next time I enter a new weight.

Yep, regardless of them using the words BMR or RMR they have the calculation wrong regardless, they are giving everyone a RMR that's about equal to total calories burned in a day RMR + activity... and then adding activity that you actually do on top.

I agree with you, there are some things significantly wrong with how Apple is estimating and using BMR or RMR. I suggest you have your RMR actually measured.

I had mine tested (~$75) at very good fitness facility where they followed the RMR protocols ( 1st link below). I think you will also find your RMR lower than 1500. There are also RMR values by gender, age, and BMI (also linked below) from actual measured RMR studies, these may be better for Apple to use than whatever they are using currently. If they are using 1 MET (3.5 ml oxygen/kg/min), which can be converted to kcals, then they will be off as well since very few people actually have that resting RMR (what 1 MET actually is), most are below 3.0. If Apple's formulas are proprietary, then maybe they didn't get what they paid for, because it seems like this board is full of gross over-estimations.

Best Practice Methods to Apply to Measurement of Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16720129

Examining Variations of Resting Metabolic Rate of Adults: A Public Health Perspective http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24300125

Metabolic equivalent: one size does not fit all http://jap.physiology.org/content/99/3/1112

Correction factors for the calculation of metabolic equivalents (MET) in overweight to extremely obese subjects http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24503879

I hear what you're saying about a general over estimate of RMR though wherever you go, but that's what it should always be, and estimate.

Funnily enough, whenever I see what my RMR or total caloric output calculations are for the day I always knock off 10% to play it safe!

Well, considering that I've got about 2700 calories/day of resting calories and end up with a total of almost 4000 calories of calories on more active days, if I knocked off only 10%, I could still eat an entire extra large pizza a day and lose weight 🙂 Ironically, I'm finding the active calories to be remarkably consistent with the BodyMedia Fit device I swore by for a few years so as long as I just ignore the Apple Watch resting calorie number and subtract accordingly, I think I'm fine. Then again, for some reason the watch has suddenly decided that I haven't stood at all in the last 3 days. This is a remarkable feat, considering that I taught a one hour advanced step aerobics class this morning and got 62 minutes of activity credit and 462 calories of active calorie burn. I closed two of the three rings by the end of my class but don't have a single minute of standing credit. Not that I care about that number (I always hit all 12 until a few days ago),

I've seen a few people on the Macrumors forum having issues with the stand circle. I know you say you don't really mind, but in case you do want it back, I believe you can either try a reset of the phone and watch, or try un-pairing and re-paring the watch again (this option is slightly longer and a bit of a hassle, just make sure your phone takes a backup of the watch first)

"

I think I've got to the bottom of this...

When you first set up the watch you will come to a section where it asks what your activity level is. Light 360 calories, etc. but what it does is add on whatever you've selected onto your resting calories, but then adds it on again in the form of active calories throughout the day.

If you deduct in your mind whatever you selected at the very start it will more than likely come out at a figure that matches what you think should be your resting calories.

However, you have to select something on that screen, so until a fix is released (hopefully!) the best thing to do in the meantime (if you havent already) is to start over again and select the lightest activity option.

Changing the move goal does not make any difference to this issue."

How do I go back and start over?

I hope issues like this are discussed at the Apple Worldwide Developers conference, but I'm doubtful, marketing would not like It. The calorie issue should be fixable with an update, although it will always be subject to estimation errorS. I'd still like to see some white papers on how accurately the Watch is actually recording other activity measures. There are no research papers yet that I'm aware of, it's just too soon. If not fixable with coding then some errors will be due to accelerometer and GPS errors, even the light sensitive heart rate detection.

There is still plenty to be sorted out before these devices become a part of Big Data health solutions.

It won't help. I selected the lightest activity possible and that doesn't matter. My number is 1200 calories over Harris-Benedict and even if I could subtract the 360 calories for the "low" activity setting, which I can't because "zero" activity isn't an option, it would still be 870 calories too high.

They really need to fix this considering there is such hulla belu over this piece of tech, obviously it was not tested enough on a basic thing before a company like Apple pushes this into the market.

I just changed my previously reported weight of 155 lbs at 5'4 to 93 lbs and 4'5. It's now reflecting my correct resting calories burn. LOL. $350 for a watch that I have to rig in order to show accurate info. Might go back to my Surge until they decide to get this fixed.

I am right there with you. My Fitbit HR was returned to kohl's. I have had Fitbit for 5 years and am so disappointed in Apple.

I'm having the same problem. I just got my watch on Monday and this thing is telling me I'm burning 5,000 calories a day - It's not even close. Like 2,000 calories off here. This is a major issue.