Human Body Composition

Overview

Engineering reference data for Human Body Composition in physiology.

Key Formulas

Basal Metabolic Rate

$BMR \propto M^{0.75}$

Kleiber's law — metabolic rate scales with body mass.

Heat Loss

$Q = hA(T_{skin} - T_{air})$

Convective heat loss from body.

Variables

Additional Notes

Mass vs. Weight: It's important to note the distinction between mass and weight. Mass is an intrinsic property representing the amount of matter in an object (measured in kilograms, kg). Weight is the force exerted on that mass by gravity (measured in newtons, N), calculated as $Weight = mass \times gravitational acceleration$.

A common conversion factor referenced is: $1 \text{ kg} = 2.2 \text{ lb (pounds)}$ However, note that the pound (lb) is a unit of force (weight) in the imperial system, while the kilogram (kg) is a unit of mass in the SI system. This conversion is based on the standard gravity at Earth's surface ($g \approx 9.81 \text{ m/s}^2$).

References

• Original Source