What are My Calorie, Protein, Fat, & Carbohydrate Needs?
Calorie Needs
The Harris-Benedict Equation for Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE) is commonly used to figure
energy requirements based on sex, height, weight and age.
W = weight in kilograms H = height in centimeters A = age in years
Men: BEE = 66.5 + 13.8(W) + 5.0(H) - 6.8(A)
Women: BEE = 655.1 + 9.6(W) + 1.9(H) - 4.7(A)
Example:
Beth is a 47 year-old female. She is 5’5” tall and weighs 147 pounds. What is
her BEE?
(147 pounds)/(2.2 pounds/kg) = 66.8 kg
(65 inches)(2.54 cm/inch) = 165 cm
BEE = 655.1 + [(9.6)(66.8 kg)] + [(5.0)(165 cm)] - [(4.7)(47 age)]
BEE = 655.1 + 641 + 825 – 221 = 1900 calories
If Beth gets regular physical activity, her BEE may need to be multiplied by a factor of
1.2-1.5 to account for extra calories needed during exercise. A factor of 1.2 represents an
average amount of activity, where 1.5 would be a very high amount of activity. We’ll say Beth
gets an average amount of activity. In this case her needs would be:
1900 calories (1.2) = 2280 calories
Protein Needs
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends daily protein intake for healthy adults as
.8-1.0 g of protein/kg body weight.
Example:
Jay weighs 168 pounds. How much protein does he need per day?
(168)/(2.2g/kg) = 76.4 kg
76.4 kg (.8 g/kg) = 61 g
76.4 kg (1.0 g/kg) = 76 g 61 – 76 grams of protein per day
