1. What is TDEE?

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) represents the total number of calories you burn each day, including basal metabolic rate (BMR) and calories burned through activity. It's the most accurate way to estimate your daily calorie needs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation for BMR and activity multipliers:

Where BMR is calculated as:

• For men: \( BMR = 10 \times weight(kg) + 6.25 \times height(cm) - 5 \times age(y) + 5 \)
• For women: \( BMR = 10 \times weight(kg) + 6.25 \times height(cm) - 5 \times age(y) - 161 \)

Activity Factors:

• Sedentary: 1.2 (little or no exercise)
• Lightly active: 1.375 (light exercise 1-3 days/week)
• Moderately active: 1.55 (moderate exercise 3-5 days/week)
• Very active: 1.725 (hard exercise 6-7 days/week)
• Extra active: 1.9 (very hard exercise & physical job)

3. Importance of TDEE Calculation

Details: Knowing your TDEE is essential for weight management - to lose weight you need to consume fewer calories than your TDEE, to gain weight you need to consume more.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, height in cm, age in years, select gender and activity level. Be honest about your activity level for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a good estimate for most people, but individual variations in metabolism can affect actual calorie needs.

Q2: Should I eat less than my TDEE to lose weight?
A: Generally yes, a deficit of 500 kcal/day leads to about 0.5kg weight loss per week, but don't go below 1200 kcal/day for women or 1500 kcal/day for men without medical supervision.

Q3: Why does TDEE decrease with age?
A: Metabolism naturally slows with age due to loss of muscle mass and other physiological changes.

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

Q5: Does muscle mass affect TDEE?
A: Yes, muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, so those with more muscle mass typically have higher TDEE.