Calorie Needs Based on Age, Activity Level

Article by Diet Bites


Sex, Age & Activity Level Matter When it Comes to Weight Loss

The following data charts really tell a story when it comes to weight, age and activity levels.  

Mix in the sex of an individual, and we have even more striking differences when it comes to the daily calories necessary to maintain weight.

Our first chart is based on a 130-pound female. Just look at the differences in daily calories based on age. The 21 year old female requires about 1750 kcals daily in an inactive state while the 75 year old requires more than 300 less.

The good news is that if the older lady remains active - then she can enjoy about the same energy values as the 21 year old who is in an inactive state.

As we increase in age, our calorie needs decrease - whether we remain at the same activity level, or not.

Females - 130 Pounds

Height

Weight

Age

Activity Level

Daily Calories

5'5"

130

21

Sedentary

1755

 

 

 

Active

2106

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2808

5'5"

130

50

Sedentary

1585

 

 

 

Active

1902

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2536

5'5"

130

75

Sedentary

1438

 

 

 

Active

1725

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2300

In comparison, we can see that a male who is the same height and weight requires many more calories per day. Because the male human body is comprised of more muscle mass than the female version, more energy is required to support all those muscles.

We can also see that a 130 pound male who is 21 years of age requires more energy values than the female - even when they have an inactive lifestyle. Note that they are of the same height. Also note that as the body ages, the male body starts to come into balance with the female's daily calorie needs. The gap shrinks amid the ageing process.

Males - 130 Pounds

Height

Weight

Age

Activity Level

Daily Calories

5'5"

130

21

Sedentary

1948

 

 

 

Active

2337

 

 

 

Extremely Active

3116

5'5"

130

50

Sedentary

1701

 

 

 

Active

2042

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2722

5'5"

130

75

Sedentary

1489

 

 

 

Active

1787

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2382

Now let's bump up the height in both male and female so that we can see the calorie differences between the sexes - as well as make a comparison of the 130-pound individual calorie needs and the 180-pound calorie needs.

Males - 180 Pounds

Height

Weight

Age

Activity Level

Daily Calories

5'11"

180

21

Sedentary

2433

 

 

 

Active

2919

 

 

 

Extremely Active

3892

5'11"

180

50

Sedentary

2186

 

 

 

Active

2624

 

 

 

Extremely Active

3498

5'11"

180

75

Sedentary

1974

 

 

 

Active

2369

 

 

 

Extremely Active

3158

Again, the female requires much less calories than her male counterpart. More muscles equal a need for more daily calories (ie fuel).

Females - 180 Pounds

Height

Weight

Age

Activity Level

Daily Calorie Intake

5'11"

180

21

Sedentary

2028

 

 

 

Active

2433

 

 

 

Extremely Active

3244

5'11"

180

50

Sedentary

1858

 

 

 

Active

2229

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2972

5'11"

180

75

Sedentary

1711

 

 

 

Active

2054

 

 

 

Extremely Active

2738

Weight Gain Chart | More on Weight Gain & Ageing

In Summary

All of the above data relating to body weight tells quite a story in regards to daily energy needs. Men tend to be the bigger species, and size truly matters when it comes to fulfilling energy needs. If Jeff towers over six feet in height and his friend Ben is just over five feet, then Jeff is going to need a lot more fuel in order to meet his energy needs than Ben.

However, there is a bit more to the Fitness Puzzle than just the height of an individual. We enter age into the equation. While Ben is in his early twenties, Jeff is nearing ninety years of age. In addition, while Jeff is very inactive due to health issues as well as the normal effects of growing old gracefully, Ben is extremely active. He has a job as a construction worker, and is also active in coaching a soccer team in the evenings.

When we enter these factors into the picture, then the energy needs are completely changed. Although Jeff is much taller, Ben will require more energy values each day due to his younger age, his significant muscle mass, and his extreme activity level.

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