Basal metabolic rate (BMR) reflects the energy required for essential physiological processes, yet its association with diabetes risk has not been well defined. A cohort study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice evaluated the relationship between estimated BMR and future diabetes and diabetes-related complications. 

A large cohort study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice evaluated whether estimated BMR is associated with the development of diabetes and related complications. The analysis included 341,790 adults without diabetes with a mean age of 55.7 ± 8.1 years. Average estimated BMR values were 1849 (234) kcal/day in men and 1340 (147) kcal/day in women. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the association between estimated BMR and subsequent diabetes outcomes.

During 12 years of follow-up, 4,626 cases of diabetes occurred. Each standard deviation increase in estimated BMR was associated with higher diabetes risk (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.49–1.59 in men; HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.49–1.62 in women). Among participants who developed diabetes, higher BMR was associated with increased risk of cardiac complications (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.55–1.89 in men; HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.56-2.03 in women).

Higher estimated BMR was also associated with diabetic coma, ketoacidosis, and glycemic disturbances (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.99-1.42 in men; HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21-1.50 in women) and stroke (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08-1.50 in men; HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14-1.76 in women). Glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cystatin C, and C-reactive protein accounted for 10-30% of the observed associations. These findings indicate that a higher estimated BMR was associated with increased diabetes risk and complications in this cohort.