To develop predictive equations for basal metabolic rate (BMR) in healthy Chinese adults and to evaluate factors that may influence BMR. Measuring the BMR of Chinese adults by indirect calorimetry. Selected subjects were randomly assigned to a validation sample and a cross-validation sample. The validation sample was used to develop predictive equations that were cross-validated using the other sample. Two hundred twenty-three healthy Chinese adults (102 men and 121 women) participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 20 to 78 years old (mean = 43.8 +/- 14.3 years). BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry. Body composition was assessed by skinfold fat thicknesses, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and urinary creatinine excretion. Student's t test, Pearson correlation coefficients, linear regression analyses, and the best subset were used for statistical analyses. The better-fitting equation for predicting BMR in Chinese adults is BMR = 13.88 x weight (kg) + 4.16 x height (cm) - 3.43 x age (years) - 112.40 x sex (men = 0; women = 1) +54.34. Men had higher BMR values than women because men had greater fat-free mass, body cell mass, and muscle mass. BMR correlated best with body composition, which correlated highly with anthropometric measurements. Therefore, accurate determination of body weight and body height are beneficial in predicting a person's BMR. All of the currently available predictive equations overestimated BMR (P = .0001) for healthy Chinese adults. The equations developed in this study predict BMR more accurately for Chinese adults. The equations developed in this study are recommended for clinical use in healthy Chinese adults who are within normal limits for body weight.