PART D: SCIENCE BASE
Figure D3-3a. Estimate of Discretionary
Calories Available Based on the Level of Physical
Activity for Males 31 to 50 Years Old. (Estimated
Energy Requirements from the IOM Dietary Reference
Intakes macronutrients report, 2002, are calculated
by median height (1.77 m) and weight (70 kg) for
that height to give a BMI of 22.5 for a typical 30
year old adult male.)
The chart presents calories consumed—from
0 to 3,500 calories—on the y axis, along with
bars representing men at three different activity
levels (sedentary, moderately active, and active)
on the x axis.
A Sedentary man age 31 to 50 has
an average caloric requirement of 2,200 calories.
The figure shows that he needs 1,958 essential calories
to consume a relatively nutrient-dense food pattern
to meet nutrient needs. The difference in the essential
calories and the number of calories needed to meet
recommended nutrient requirements (2,200 - 1,958
= 242 calories) is the number of discretionary calories
needed to achieve energy balance, based on the USDA
food modeling system. Sedentary means a lifestyle
that includes only the light physical activity associated
with a typical day-to-day life.
A Moderately Active man age 31 to
50 has an average caloric requirement of 2,600 calories.
The figure shows that he needs 2,230 essential calories
to consume a relatively nutrient-dense food pattern
to meet nutrient needs. The difference in the essential
calories and the number of calories needed to meet
recommended nutrient requirements (2,600 - 2,230
= 370 calories) is the number of discretionary calories
needed to achieve energy balance, based on the USDA
food modeling system. Moderately active means a lifestyle
that includes physical activity equivalent to walking
approximately 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, and results
in a slight increase in essential calories for the
moderately active man.
An Active man age 31 to 50 has an
average caloric requirement of 3,000 calories. The
figure shows that he needs 2,535 essential calories
to consume a relatively nutrient-dense food pattern
to meet nutrient needs. The difference in the essential
calories and the number of calories needed to meet
recommended nutrient requirements (3,000 - 2,535
= 465 calories) is the number of discretionary calories
needed to achieve energy balance, based on the USDA
food modeling system. 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, and results in a slight
increase in essential calories for the active man.
Back to Top
Back to Part D. Science Base, Section 3. Discretionary Calories |