Mayo Clinic Calorie Intake Calculator

Calorie Intake Formula:

\[ Calories = BMR \times activity\_factor \]

Weight:

Height:

Age:

years

Gender:

Activity Level:

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR):

Daily Calorie Needs:

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1. What is the Mayo Clinic Calorie Intake Calculator?

The Mayo Clinic Calorie Intake Calculator estimates your daily calorie needs based on your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and activity level. It uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which is considered the most accurate for calculating BMR.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses two formulas:

\[ BMR (men) = 10 \times weight(kg) + 6.25 \times height(cm) - 5 \times age(y) + 5 \] \[ BMR (women) = 10 \times weight(kg) + 6.25 \times height(cm) - 5 \times age(y) - 161 \] \[ Daily\ Calories = BMR \times Activity\ Factor \]

Where Activity Factor is:

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

3. Importance of Calorie Calculation

Details: Knowing your daily calorie needs helps with weight management - whether you want to maintain, lose, or gain weight. It provides a scientific basis for meal planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, height in cm, age in years, select your gender and activity level. For accurate results, measure your weight and height rather than estimating.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is about 90% accurate for most people. Individual variations in metabolism may affect actual calorie needs.

Q2: Should I eat fewer calories to lose weight?
A: A moderate reduction (500 kcal/day less than maintenance) typically leads to safe weight loss of about 0.5kg per week.

Q3: Does muscle mass affect BMR?
A: Yes, muscle burns more calories than fat at rest. Those with more muscle mass may have a higher BMR than the equation predicts.

Q4: How often should I recalculate my calorie needs?
A: Recalculate after significant weight changes (±5kg) or changes in activity level. Otherwise, every 6 months is reasonable.

Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: It may be less accurate for very muscular individuals, those with high body fat percentages, pregnant women, and elderly individuals.