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Our daily energy consumption is composed of the resting energy consumption and the activity factor (PAL factor). The resting energy consumption is the amount of energy that our body uses during physical and mental rest. Gender, age, body weight and a number of calculation factors serve as the basis for calculating resting energy consumption, taking into account food-induced thermogenesis (the energy that our body has to use to digest food).

Rest energy consumption men (BMI 18.5 – 24.9)

(0.047 x weight in kg – 0.01452 x age in years + 4.219) x 239

Example: A 70kg man aged 31 has a resting energy consumption of:
(0.047 x 70 kg – 0.01452 x 31 years + 4.219) x 239 = 1,687 kcal / day

Rest energy consumption women (BMI 18.5 – 24.9)

(0.047 x weight in kg – 0.01452 x age in years + 3.210) x 239

Example: A 70kg woman at the age of 31 has a resting energy consumption of:
(0.047 x 70 kg – 0.01452 x 31 years + 3.210) x 239 = 1,550 kcal / day

Performance consumption

Any stress on body functions that goes beyond this resting energy consumption means an additional energy requirement. This additional energy is the power turnover. How high a person’s total energy requirement is depends on his resting energy consumption and his physical activity. For this purpose, the resting energy consumption is multiplied by an activity factor, the so-called PAL factor. PAL stands for “physical activity level”, it is the measure of physical activity.

Exclusively sedentary or lying lifestyle, PAL Factor: 1.2 – 1.3
Examples:  Frail, immobile, bedridden people

Only sedentary work with little or no strenuous leisure activity, PAL Factor:  1.4 – 1.5
Examples:  Office workers, precision mechanics

Sedentary work, occasionally additional energy expenditure for walking and standing activities, little or no strenuous leisure activity, PAL Factor:  1.6 – 1.7
Examples:  Laboratories, students, assembly line workers

Mostly walking and standing work, PAL Factor:  1.8 – 1.9
Examples:  Sellers, waiters, mechanics, artisans

Physically demanding professional work or very active leisure activities, PAL Factor:  2.0 – 2.4
Examples:  Construction workers, farmers, forest workers, miners, competitive athletes

Total energy consumption / calorie requirement

Example: A man (or a woman) with a basic metabolism of 1,687 kcal / day and a PAL factor of 1.8 has a total energy requirement of:

1,687 kcal / day x 1.6 PAL factor = 2,699 kcal / day

So now we know how to determine our energy consumption. I explain the calculation of our energy intake in the article “Calculate calorie intake”.

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