Staying Healthy
Dietary guidelines and caloric percentages
The first step is to determine how many calories you need for an average day. As a rough guide, a sedentary person needs about 13 calories per pound of body weight to maintain a steady weight; moderate physical activity boosts the daily quota to 16 calories a pound, vigorous exercise to 18 calories a pound each day. For a 175-pound man with a moderate exercise schedule, that comes to 2,800 calories a day.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
