Page 173 - Nutrition Essentials for Nursing Practice

C H A P T E R 7 Energy Balance 161

Table 7.3 Estimated Calorie Needs per Day by Age, Gender, and Physical Activity Level*

Age Activity Level for Males Age Activity Level for Females‡

Sedentary† Moderately Active† Sedentary† Moderately Active†
Active† Active†

2 1000 1000 1000 2 1000 1000 1000
3 1000 1400 1400 3 1000 1200 1400
4 1200 1400 1600 4 1200 1400 1400
5 1200 1400 1600 5 1200 1400 1600
6 1400 1600 1800 6 1200 1400 1600
7 1400 1600 1800 7 1200 1600 1800
8 1400 1600 2000 8 1400 1600 1800
9 1600 1800 2000 9 1400 1600 1800
10 1600 1800 2200 10 1400 1800 2000
11 1800 2000 2200 11 1600 1800 2000
12 1800 2200 2400 12 1600 2000 2200
13 2000 2200 2600 13 1600 2000 2200
14 2000 2400 2800 14 1800 2000 2400
15 2200 2600 3000 15 1800 2000 2400
16 2400 2800 3200 16 1800 2000 2400
17 2400 2800 3200 17 1800 2000 2400
18 2400 2800 3200 18 1800 2000 2400
19–20 2600 2800 3000 19–20 2000 2200 2400
21–25 2400 2800 3000 21–25 2000 2200 2400
26–30 2400 2600 3000 26–30 1800 2000 2400
31–35 2400 2600 3000 31–35 1800 2000 2200
36–40 2400 2600 2800 36–40 1800 2000 2200
41–45 2200 2600 2800 41–45 1800 2000 2200
46–50 2200 2400 2800 46–50 1800 2000 2200
51–55 2200 2400 2800 51–55 1600 1800 2200
56–60 2200 2400 2600 56–60 1600 1800 2200
61–65 2000 2400 2600 61–65 1600 1800 2000
66–70 2000 2200 2600 66–70 1600 1800 2000
71–75 2000 2200 2600 71–75 1600 1800 2000
76 and up 2000 2200 2400 76 and up 1600 1800 2000

Note: Values depict amounts of calories needed to maintain calorie balance for various gender and age groups at three different levels of
physical activity. The estimates are rounded to the nearest 200 calories. An individual’s calorie needs may be higher or lower than these
average estimates.

*Based on estimated energy requirements (EER) equations, using reference heights (average) and reference weights (healthy) for each
age–gender group. For children and adolescents, reference height and weight vary. For adults, the reference man is 5 ft 10 in tall and
weighs 154 pounds. The reference woman is 5 ft 4 in tall and weighs 126 pounds. EER equations are from the Institute of Medicine. (2002).
Dietary Reference Intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids. Washington, DC: The
National Academies Press.

†Sedentary means a lifestyle that includes only the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life. Moderately active means a
lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking about 1.5 to 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to the light
physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life. Active means a lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking more
than 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life.

‡Estimates for females do not include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Source: Britten, P., Marcoe, K., Yamini, S., & Davis, C. (2006). Development of food intake patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance
System. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 38(Suppl. 6), S78–S92.

From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2010
(7th ed.). Available at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines. Accessed on 2/24/11.