You can either calculate your daily calorie requirements by using the equations below or using the calorie calculator.
Once you have determined the number of calories you need per day to maintain your current weight (total daily energy expenditure or TDEE), you can also calculate the number of calories you need to lose weight.
Remember that there are 3500 calories in 1lbs. (0.45kg) of fat. Thus, you need to burn 500/ 1000 calories more than you consume each day to lose 1/ 2lbs. of fat per week.
Calories needed on average by men and women:
Average Calories to: | Women | Men |
Maintain Weight | 2000 – 2100 | 2700 – 2900 |
Lose Weight | 1400 – 1800 | 2200 – 2700 |
1. Calculate BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
Women BMR = 655 + (9.6 X weight in kg) + (1.8 x height in cm) – (4.7 x age in yrs)
Men BMR = 66 + (13.7 X weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm) – (6.8 x age in yrs)
Note: Multiply the number in brackets first, then you can add and subtract.
For example:
- Female
- Age: 27 years
- Height: 178 cm (5’10’’)
- Weight: 69kg (151lbs.)
Therefore,
BMR = 665 + (9.6 X 69) + (1.8 x 178) – (4.7 x 27)
= 1520.9 calories/ day
2. Calculate Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
TDEE = BMR x Activity Factor
Determine your activity factor from the table below and multiply this number by the BMR you just calculated above, to determine your TDEE.
Activity Factor Table
Amount of Exercise/Activity | Description | TDEE/ Maintenance |
Sedentary | Little or no Exercise/ desk job | TDEE = 1.2 x BMR |
Lightly active | Light exercise/ sports 1 – 3 days/ week | TDEE = 1.375 x BMR |
Moderately active | Moderate Exercise, sports 3 – 5 days/ week | TDEE = 1.55 x BMR |
Very active | Heavy Exercise/ sports 6 – 7 days/ week | TDEE = 1.725 x BMR |
Extremely active | Very heavy exercise/ physical job/ training 2 x/ day | TDEE = 1.9 x BMR |
Therefore,
TDEE = BMR x Activity Factor
TDEE = 1520.9 x 1.375
= 2091
This 27 year old woman needs 2091 calories per day to maintain her current weight.
