The paper reviews the historical development and application of basal metabolic rate (BMR) measurements and presents new equations (Oxford equations) to predict BMR. The FAO/WHO/UNU equations, developed by Schofield et al., were based on a database that included a disproportionate number of Italian subjects, leading to overestimation of BMR in many populations. The Oxford equations, derived from a larger and more representative dataset, tend to produce lower BMR values, particularly in males aged 18–30 and 30–60, and in females over 18 years old. The Oxford equations are expected to provide more accurate predictions of BMR in contemporary populations, which is crucial for estimating total energy requirements. The paper also discusses the historical background of BMR measurements, the methods used to measure BMR, and the limitations of the FAO/WHO/UNU equations.The paper reviews the historical development and application of basal metabolic rate (BMR) measurements and presents new equations (Oxford equations) to predict BMR. The FAO/WHO/UNU equations, developed by Schofield et al., were based on a database that included a disproportionate number of Italian subjects, leading to overestimation of BMR in many populations. The Oxford equations, derived from a larger and more representative dataset, tend to produce lower BMR values, particularly in males aged 18–30 and 30–60, and in females over 18 years old. The Oxford equations are expected to provide more accurate predictions of BMR in contemporary populations, which is crucial for estimating total energy requirements. The paper also discusses the historical background of BMR measurements, the methods used to measure BMR, and the limitations of the FAO/WHO/UNU equations.