Who Developed the Schofield Equation for Estimating Caloric Needs?

December 8, 2025 •

3 min read

In 1985, a landmark study reviewed decades of metabolic rate data from thousands of individuals to create a new set of predictive equations. These formulas, which became known as the Schofield equation, were developed by Dr. William Schofield and later adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a standard for estimating human energy requirements.

Quick Summary

The Schofield equation was developed by Dr. William Schofield in 1985 and is a series of age- and gender-specific formulas used to estimate a person's basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total energy expenditure (TEE). It was endorsed by the WHO for calculating energy needs based on factors like age, gender, and weight.

Key Points

Dr. William Schofield: The Schofield equation was developed by Dr. William Schofield, who published his findings in 1985 after reviewing extensive metabolic data.
Estimate Basal Metabolic Rate: The equation is a series of formulas used to predict a person's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the energy needed for basic bodily functions at rest.
Factors Considered: It calculates BMR based on an individual's age, gender, and body weight, distinguishing it from other formulas that may require height.
WHO Endorsement: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) adopted the Schofield equation as an international standard for assessing energy requirements.
Age-Specific Formulas: The equation uses separate formulas for different age brackets, providing greater precision across the lifespan, from children to older adults.
Foundational Influence: Although newer equations like Mifflin-St Jeor are often used clinically today, the Schofield equation remains a historically significant and reliable tool for nutritional assessment, particularly for population-level studies.

The Origin of the Schofield Equation

Dr. William Schofield developed the Schofield equation, a comprehensive set of formulas for calculating basal metabolic rate (BMR), following an extensive review of metabolic data from 114 studies conducted between 1914 and 1980. This monumental analysis, which synthesized BMR measurements from over 7,000 individuals, led to the creation of age- and gender-specific formulas published in 1985. Schofield's work was foundational for the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU report on human energy and protein requirements, establishing it as an international standard in nutritional assessment. The equation’s value lay in its broad dataset, which included subjects from various geographic locations and age groups, aiming for a more globally applicable standard than previous equations.

How the Schofield Equation Works

Unlike some other predictive equations that require height, the Schofield equation estimates BMR using only a person's age, gender, and weight (in kilograms). The equation provides different formulas for six distinct age brackets, accounting for metabolic variations across the lifespan. The resulting BMR is the energy required to sustain fundamental bodily functions while at rest. To calculate total daily energy expenditure (TEE), the estimated BMR is then multiplied by an activity factor that reflects a person's physical activity level.

Calculation steps:

Select the correct formula: Based on the individual's age and gender, choose the appropriate Schofield formula.
Input weight: Multiply the individual's weight in kilograms by the weight coefficient in the formula.
Add the constant: Add the specified constant to the result from the previous step to find the estimated BMR.
Factor in activity level: To determine TEE, multiply the BMR by the corresponding physical activity level (PAL) factor.

Application and Limitations of the Schofield Equation

The Schofield equation served as a reliable tool for decades for healthcare professionals, dietitians, and public health agencies. It helped establish national dietary guidelines and assess energy requirements in clinical settings. However, subsequent research and evolving understanding of human metabolism have highlighted some of its limitations. The original data pool heavily featured European men, which has been shown to potentially overestimate energy needs for individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, particularly those in tropical climates. For more specific or diverse populations, such as critically ill patients or those with different body compositions, other equations or direct measurements like indirect calorimetry are often preferred.

Comparison of Predictive Energy Equations


Feature	Schofield Equation (1985)	Mifflin-St Jeor Equation (1990)	Harris-Benedict Equation (1919)
Developer	Dr. William Schofield	Mifflin and St Jeor	Harris and Benedict
Key Inputs	Age, Gender, Weight	Age, Gender, Weight, Height	Age, Gender, Weight, Height
Original Data	Large, diverse global dataset (though skewed toward European males)	Diverse dataset including overweight and obese individuals	Predominantly white, healthy-weight individuals
Accuracy	Generally accurate for broad populations, but may overestimate for some ethnicities	More accurate for overweight and obese individuals; often preferred clinically	Tends to overestimate RMR, especially in modern, less active populations
Modern Use	Still used by FAO/WHO internationally for population-level nutrition	Widely recommended for clinical use in the United States	Less commonly used today, often replaced by more modern formulas

The Schofield Equation's Legacy in Nutrition Science

Despite its limitations, the Schofield equation was a monumental step forward in nutritional science. It provided a robust, standardized method for estimating energy needs based on demographic factors, influencing global health policies and dietary recommendations for years. Its age-stratified approach was a significant improvement over previous formulas, offering better accuracy for specific life stages. While more refined methods and newer equations exist today, particularly for clinical applications and specific populations, the Schofield equation remains a historically significant and widely recognized tool. Its continued use by international bodies like the WHO for broad nutritional assessments speaks to its enduring legacy and reliability.

Conclusion

The Schofield equation was developed by Dr. William Schofield in 1985 and was a landmark achievement in nutritional science, establishing a global standard for estimating basal metabolic rate. It provided a series of age- and gender-specific formulas based on a comprehensive review of prior metabolic research. While its accuracy has been refined over time with newer equations, its influence on public health, dietary guidelines, and clinical nutrition remains substantial. The equation's legacy is one of foundational work, standardizing how energy requirements are calculated across different populations worldwide. For detailed context, the WHO Technical Report Series 724 provides extensive background on the adoption of the Schofield equations by the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

William Schofield was the researcher who developed the Schofield equations for estimating basal metabolic rate (BMR). He published his comprehensive review of metabolic data and the resulting formulas in 1985, which subsequently became the basis for international standards set by the FAO and WHO.

The primary purpose of the Schofield equation is to estimate an individual's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which represents the energy (calories) required by the body at rest to maintain vital functions. This estimate is then used to calculate total daily energy expenditure (TEE) for nutritional planning.

Yes, the Schofield equation is still used today, particularly by international health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) for population-level nutrition assessments. However, in clinical settings, other equations like the Mifflin-St Jeor formula are often preferred for their updated accuracy, especially for specific populations.

No, one of the key features of the Schofield equation is that it does not require height as a variable. It estimates BMR based solely on age, gender, and weight in kilograms.

The Schofield equation was developed using a large, globally diverse dataset, but it is known to have some limitations. Research has shown it can sometimes overestimate metabolic rates in certain ethnic groups, and its accuracy is less reliable for specific populations, like critically ill or highly athletic individuals.

To calculate TEE, you first use the Schofield formula to find the BMR. Then, you multiply the estimated BMR by an activity factor (PAL) that corresponds to the individual's physical activity level. Different PAL values exist for sedentary, moderately active, and very active lifestyles.

The Schofield equation is more modern (1985) and uses age- and gender-specific formulas based on a larger, more diverse population study, including infants and older adults. The Harris-Benedict equation (1919) was based on a smaller study of predominantly healthy, young, white adults and is known to be less accurate for modern populations, especially in clinical practice.