What is meant by DAILY CALORIC NEEDS?

The Daily Caloric Needs is the amount of calories required daily to maintain current body weight and is calculated by adding the Resting Energy Expenditure calories to the calories needed for daily activities.

An example of the results of applying this formula using an "average" woman age 37 at 5'2'' (158 cms.) and 143 lbs. (65 kgs.) who is “Lightly” active” would suggest that she would require 1,375 calorie intake per day. Or according to the results shown below:


1,200 = sedentary (little or no exercise)
1,375 = lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week)
1,550 = moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week)
1,725 = very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week)
1,900 = extra active (very hard exercise/sports and physical job).

Since most of us don't sleep all day every day, we need to take this number and multiply it by an ''activity factor'' to get a true picture of the total calories used each day. (Be aware - Many people tend to overestimate their activity level.)