When caloric intake is lower than the amount needed to maintain normal function, RMR increases.

When caloric intake is lower than the amount needed to maintain normal function, the body adapts by decreasing its resting metabolic rate (RMR) rather than increasing it. This adjustment occurs as a survival mechanism in response to a state of caloric deficit. When energy intake is insufficient, the body prioritizes essential functions and may slow down metabolic processes to conserve energy. As a result, even though the body might still be performing necessary biological functions, the energy expenditure decreases, which means RMR does not increase in this scenario. This is important for understanding how the body reacts to changes in dietary habits and caloric intake, especially in contexts related to weight management and metabolic health.