Take the Guesswork Out of Weight Loss
with a Simple Breath Test
Michelle Phillippy, MPH
Today there is so much information about new diet trends and exercise routines that finding the best
plan for you can be overwhelming. How do you take the first step to a healthy lifestyle? Metabolic
testing may just be the answer.
This simple, safe breath test measures the number of calories your body burns on a daily basis and
calculates the number of calories you need to consume to maintain, or lose, or gain weight. The test
also measures the rate at which your body burns calories, compared to what is considered a “normal”
rate based on your age, sex, height, and weight.
Although nutrition labels are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, each of us requires a specific amount of
calories to sustain our individual body weight. Metabolism is the natural rate at which your body burns
calories and is comprised of three things, all of which are by a metabolic test:
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) The number of calories spent to keep you alive. Even when
your body is at rest, it requires energy for the basics, such as fuel for organs, breathing,
circulating blood, plus growing and repairing cells. Everyone has a different RMR. Typically, a
person’s RMR is the largest portion of energy use, representing 50 – 75% of the calories used
each day.
Food Processing Digesting, absorbing, transporting and storing the food you consume also
takes calories. This accounts for about 10% of the calories used each day.
Physical Activity Every movement – such as playing tennis, walking, chasing the dog and any
other physical activity accounts for the remainder of calories used. You control the number of
calories burned depending on the frequency, duration and intensity of your activities.
So, how does a metabolic test work? Metabolic testing is a simple, 10-minute breath test. To achieve
the most accurate reading, avoid eating 4 hours before the test, avoid caffeine or any other stimulant
the day of the test, and avoid exercising the day of the test.
Metabolic testing takes the guesswork out of weight management. You’ll know exactly how many
calories to consume to maintain, lose, or even gain weight safely. Metabolic testing is offered at the
West Chester Area YMCA; Brandywine YMCA, Coatesville; Jennersville YMCA, West Grove or Kennett
Area YMCA, Kennett Square. For more information, visit www.ymcabwv.org.
Michelle Phillippy, MPH is Director of Healthy Living for the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley West Chester.
Visit www.ymcabwv.org or any of its branches: Brandywine YMCA, Kennett Area YMCA, Jennersville
YMCA, Twin Valley YMCA, Octorara Program Center, or the West Chester Youth Program Center.