Dietary reference intakes tables: Equations to estimate energy requirement
These equations provide an estimate of energy requirement (EER). Relative body weight (that is, loss, stable, gain) is the preferred indicator of energy adequacy.
On this page
- Physical activity level category definitions
- Children 0 to 3 years
- Children and adolescents 3 to 18 years
- Adults 19 years and older
- Pregnancy second and third trimester, any age
- Breastfeeding, 0 to 6 months postpartum
- Breastfeeding, 7 to 12 months postpartum
Physical activity level category (PA CAT) definitions
Definitions
Physical activity level category (PA CAT) defined for inactive, low active, active and very active levels
| Age group | Physical activity level category (PA CAT) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inactive | Low active | Active | Very active | |
| 3 to <9 years | 1.00 ≤ PAL <1.31 | 1.31 ≤ PAL < 1.44 | 1.44 ≤ PAL < 1.59 | 1.59 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| 9 to <14 years | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.44 | 1.44 ≤ PAL < 1.59 | 1.59 ≤ PAL < 1.77 | 1.77 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| 14 to <19 years | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.56 | 1.56 ≤ PAL < 1.73 | 1.73 ≤ PAL < 1.92 | 1.92 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| 19 years and older | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.53 | 1.53 ≤ PAL < 1.68 | 1.68 ≤ PAL < 1.85 | 1.85 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| Example of daily activities associated with physical activity level categories in adults. | Activities of daily living, for example: 30 minutes walking plus 90 minutes light to moderate activity (household tasks, vacuuming, raking the lawn, etc.) | Activities of daily living plus 60 to 80 minutes of walking at 5 to 7 km/h | Activities of daily living plus 30 to 50 minutes of walking at 5 to 7 km/h, plus 45 minutes of moderate cycling, plus 40 minutes of doubles tennis | Activities of daily living plus 45 minutes of moderate cycling, plus 25 minutes of jogging at 10 km/h, plus 40 minutes of doubles tennis |
Children 0 to 3 years
EER equations for infants and children 0 to 3 years are the same for all physical activity levels.
Age 0 to <3 months
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 200
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 180
Age 3 to <6 months
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 50
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 60
Age 6 to <12 months
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 20
Age 1 year to < 3 years
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 15
Children and adolescents 3 to 18 years
There is a separate equation for each physical activity level category (PA CAT).
Age 3 years to < 4 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 15
Age 4 years to <9 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 15
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 15
Age 9 years to <14 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 25
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 25
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 25
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 25
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 30
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 30
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 30
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 30
Age 14 years to <19 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 20
Adults 19 years and older
There is a separate equation for each physical activity level category.
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 753.07 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (6.50 × height [cm]) + (14.10 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Low active
EER = 581.47 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (8.30 × height [cm]) + (14.94 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Active
EER = 1,004.82 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (6.52 × height [cm]) + (15.91 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Very active
EER = –517.88 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (15.61 × height [cm]) + (19.11 × weight [kg])
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 584.90 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (5.72 × height [cm]) + (11.71 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Low active
EER = 575.77 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.60 × height [cm]) + (12.14 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Active
EER = 710.25 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.54 × height [cm]) + (12.34 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Very active
EER = 511.83 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (9.07 × height [cm]) + (12.56 × weight [kg])
Pregnancy second and third trimester, any age
For the first trimester of pregnancy, use the appropriate non-pregnant equation.
There is a separate equation for each physical activity level category.
Underweight pre-pregnancy BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
Normal weight pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
Overweight pre-pregnancy BMI (25.0–29.9 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
Obese pre-pregnancy BMI (≥ 30.0 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
Breastfeeding, 0 to 6 months postpartum
There is a separate equation for each physical activity level category.
Ages less than 19 years
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
Ages 19 years and older
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 584.90 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (5.72 × height [cm]) + (11.71 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Low active
EER = 575.77 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.60 × height [cm]) + (12.14 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Active
EER = 710.25 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.54 × height [cm]) + (12.34 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Very active
EER = 511.83 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (9.07 × height [cm]) + (12.56 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
Breastfeeding, 7 to 12 months postpartum
There is a separate equation for each physical activity level category.
Ages less than 19 years
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 380
Ages 19 years and older
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 584.90 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (5.72 × height [cm]) + (11.71 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Low active
EER = 575.77 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.60 × height [cm]) + (12.14 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Active
EER = 710.25 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.54 × height [cm]) + (12.34 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Very active
EER = 511.83 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (9.07 × height [cm]) + (12.56 × weight [kg]) + 380
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