1. What is the Calorie Maintenance Equation?

The calorie maintenance equation estimates the number of calories a man over 50 needs to consume daily to maintain his current weight, based on his weight, height, age, and activity level.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in centimeters
• \( age \) — Age in years (must be 50 or older)
• \( activity\_factor \) — Multiplier based on activity level

Explanation: The equation accounts for basal metabolic rate (BMR) adjusted by physical activity level to estimate total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).

3. Importance of Calorie Calculation

Details: Knowing your maintenance calories helps with weight management, whether your goal is to maintain, lose, or gain weight in a controlled manner.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in cm, age (50+ years), and select your activity level. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, age ≥ 50).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is this specific to men over 50?
A: Metabolism changes with age and gender. This equation is specifically calibrated for older men who typically have different metabolic rates than younger men or women.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate for most people, but individual variations in metabolism may mean your actual needs differ by ±200 calories.

Q3: Should I adjust my calories if I want to lose weight?
A: Yes, a 500-calorie daily deficit typically leads to about 0.5kg weight loss per week.

Q4: How often should I recalculate my needs?
A: Recalculate whenever your weight changes significantly (5+ kg) or your activity level changes substantially.

Q5: What if I'm very muscular or have high body fat?
A: The equation may be less accurate for these individuals as it doesn't account for body composition differences.