The Height Weight Factor

Tom Thumb Meets Paul Bunyon

A lot of elements go into the Weight Factor. Unfortunately, we can't simply look at a table or chart and accurately identify our ideal recommended weight.

Our best weight depends upon several personal factors - each in their own way make us all unique. In fact, if it's one thing that we all have in common - it's the fact that we are all very unique.

Individual Calorie Needs

Let's take a look at Dieter Tom and Dieter Paul and review their daily caloric needs.

Tom is six foot tall and has small hands while Paul is five foot tall with super-sized hands.

Believe it or not, the size of their hands have nothing to do with their daily calorie needs. However, the size of their body frame sizes has a lot to do with daily caloric needs. The taller the body - the more calories are required to supply that vital need of energy.

This is similar to a small car and a large car. The small vehicle doesn't require as much fuel to run as the large vehicle requires. With more weight and bulk to move - more energy is required. Let's get back to our two dieters.

Tom and Paul have decided to go on the same weight loss plan. Even though they will be enjoying the same foods, their serving sizes and calorie allotments will differ greatly.

Caloric Needs & Age

Did we mention that Tom is in his early 20's and that Paul is clipping 50? This too will have a bearing on their caloric needs. When Paul was in his younger years, his metabolic rate was also younger, faster and performed with excellence - just like his friend's metabolism.

These days, Paul's body requires fewer calories to maintain. It's the body's way of slowing down amid ageing. Because the metabolism does not perform as efficiently as it used to, combined with the body's inability to perform the equal activities as it did amid those younger years, less energy is required to support its necessary needs and functions.

Caloric Needs & Activity Level, Gender, Muscle Mass

Did we mention that Tom is also an athlete and that Paul has a desk job? Given such, this also influences the amount of energy that Tom can consume per day in comparison to his friend Paul.

And it's not only due to his increased amount of activity - but also to his muscle mass. Muscle requires more energy to support. It's another reason why men are able to consume more energy than women who are the same height - men have more muscle mass than we-women. At least has this factor going in his favor because he will be able to consume a few more calories than if he'd been female.

Energy Needs & Body Frame Size

The other thing that Paul has going for him in the area of being able to consume more calories while dieting is that he has a large body frame size - or a large skeletal system. His body frame is able to support more weight than if he had a medium or small body frame.

Let's look at his friend, Mack who is identical in age, activity level, height and health. In comparison to Mack who has a small body frame and is at his recommended weight - if Paul's weight equaled Mack's weight, Paul would look very fragile. And if Mack were to gain weight to equal Paul at his 'recommended ideal weight' then Mack might look like he needs to drop a few pounds.

In addition, the extra weight would put pressure on his body frame and he would be at a higher risk of experiencing health issues related to such - as sore knees, back pain and sluggishness.

Summary: The amount of daily calories that we consume is impacted by our height, our age, our activity levels, our frame size, our current weight - just to name a few!

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