mathematics

Schofield equation

Schofield equation is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Schofield equation rather than just read about it. In short: The Schofield Equation is a method of estimating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of adult men and women published in 1985. This is the equation used by the WHO in their technical report series.

Key takeaways

Schofield equation belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Schofield equation to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Schofield equation from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Schofield Equation is a method of estimating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of adult men and women published in 1985. This is the equation used by the WHO in their technical report series. The equation that is recommended to estimate BMR by the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation. The equations for estimating BMR in kJ/day (kilojoules per day) from the body mass W (kg) are: Men:

Women:

The equations for estimating BMR in kcal/day (kilocalories per day) from body mass (kg) are: Men:

Women:

Key: W = Body weight in kilograms SEE = Standard error of estimation The raw figure obtained by the equation should be adjusted up or downwards, within the confidence limit suggested by the quoted estimation errors, and according to the following principles: Subjects leaner and more muscular than usual require more energy than the average. Obese subjects require less. Patients at the young end of the age range for a given equation require more energy. Patients at the high end of the age range for a given equation require less energy. Effects of age and body mass may cancel out: an obese 30-year-old or an athletic 60-year-old may need no adjustment from the raw figure.

Physical activity levels To find total body energy expenditure (actual energy needed per day), the base metabolism must then be multiplied by a physical activity level factor. These are as follows:

The FAO/WHO uses different PALs in their recommendations when recommending how to calculate TEE. See Table 5.3 of their working document. Energy Requirements of Adults, Report of a Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation. These equations were published in 1989 in the dietary guidelines and formed the RDA's for a number of years. The activity factor used by the USDA was 1.6. In the UK, a lower activity factor of 1.4 is used. The equation has now been replaced by the Institute of Medicine Equation in September 2002 in the US, however is still currently used by the FAO/WHO/UNU.

See also Harris–Benedict equation Institute of Medicine Equation

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Schofield equation

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Schofield equation claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Schofield equation before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Schofield equation ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Schofield equation

In research: Schofield equation appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Schofield equation in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Schofield equation is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Mass, Mathematics in medicine, Nutrition, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Schofield equation outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Schofield equation in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Schofield equation means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Schofield equation out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Schofield equation in simple terms?

The Schofield Equation is a method of estimating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of adult men and women published in 1985. This is the equation used by the WHO in their technical report series.

Why does Schofield equation matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Schofield equation?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Schofield equation.