Final answer:
The claim that older people have a higher basal metabolic rate than younger people is incorrect; BMR decreases with age due to a reduction in muscle mass. The BMR decreases by about 2 percent per decade after age 30, significantly affecting those between 50 and 70 years of age. Other factors influencing BMR include gender, body weight, and body surface area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that older people tend to have a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) than younger people is not accurate. The BMR reduces with age, which means that as people grow older, their metabolism tends to slow down. This reduction in BMR is primarily due to changes in body composition, such as a decrease in lean muscle mass. The basal metabolic rate refers to the rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to maintain vital bodily functions such as breathing and circulation. Several factors influence BMR, including age, muscle mass, body weight, and body surface area.
About age, the metabolic rate decreases by nearly 2 percent per decade after the age of 30. This decline becomes more dramatic between the ages of 50 and 70. Since muscle has a higher metabolic rate than fat, the loss of muscle mass reduces the body's metabolic rate. As such, older adults often have a lower BMR compared to younger individuals, contrary to the misconception that it's higher.
Gender and muscle mass are also important factors, with men generally having a higher BMR due to greater muscle mass and a lower body fat percentage. Moreover, body weight and body surface area influence BMR, with heavier individuals and those with larger body surface areas having higher BMRs.