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PART D: SCIENCE BASE

Table D3-1. Estimated Energy Requirements for Each Age/Gender Group at Three Levels of Physical Activity. (These levels are based on Estimated Energy Requirements (EER)1 from the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes macronutrients report, 2002. See the notes for additional information.)

    Activity Level2
Gender Age SEDENTARY MODERATELY
ACTIVE		 ACTIVE
Child 2–3 1,000 1,000–1,4003 1,000–1,400
Female 4-8
9-13
14-18
19-30
31-50
51+		 1,200
1,600
1,800
2,000
1,800
1,600		 1,400–1,600
1,600-2,000
2,000
2,000-2,200
2,000
1,800		 1,000–1,800
1,800-2,200
2,400
2,400
2,200
2,000-2,200
Male 4-8
9-13
14-18
19-30
31-50
51+		 1,400
1,800
2,200
2,400
2,200
2,000		 1,400–1,600
1,800-2,000
2,400-2,800
2,600-2,800
2,400-2,600
2,200-2,400		 1,600–2,000
2,000-2,600
2,800-3,200
3,000
2,800-3,000
2,400-2,800

Notes:

1EERs are the Estimated Energy Requirements from the IOM Dietary Reference Intakes macronutrients report, 2002, calculated by gender, age, and activity level for reference-sized individuals. "Reference size," as determined by IOM, is based on median height and weight for ages up to age 18, and median height and a weight for that height to give a BMI of 21.5 for adult females and 22.5 for adult males.

2SEDENTARY 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.

3The calorie ranges shown are to accommodate needs of different ages within the group. For children and adolescents, more calories are needed at higher ages. For adults, fewer calories are needed at higher ages.

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