Basal Metabolic Rate and 5-Year Risk of Disability in Older Adults: Evidence From a Cohort With Counterfactual Analysis

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) declines with age and reflects reduced physiological reserve. Estimated BMR, derived from anthropometric variables, may reflect vulnerability related to age, sex, and body size rather than directly measured intrinsic metabolic function. This study examined the association between estimated BMR and 5-year incident disability in community-dwelling older adults and evaluated the impact of small changes in BMR on disability risk.