1. What is Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)?

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) represents the total number of calories your body burns in a day, including basal metabolic rate (BMR) and calories burned through physical activity. It's a crucial metric for weight management and nutrition planning.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation for BMR and multiplies by activity factor:

Where BMR is calculated as:

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

Activity Factors:

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

3. Importance of TDEE Calculation

Details: Knowing your TDEE is essential for effective weight management. To lose weight, consume fewer calories than your TDEE; to gain weight, consume more. It helps create personalized nutrition plans and set realistic fitness goals.

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. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the TDEE calculation?
A: The Mifflin-St Jeor Equation is considered one of the most accurate BMR formulas for healthy adults, but individual variations may occur.

Q2: Should I eat exactly at my TDEE to maintain weight?
A: TDEE provides an estimate. Monitor your weight over time and adjust calorie intake based on actual results.

Q3: How often should I recalculate my TDEE?
A: Recalculate when your weight changes significantly, activity level changes, or every few months to account for metabolic adaptations.

Q4: Does muscle mass affect TDEE?
A: Yes, muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. People with more muscle mass typically have higher TDEE.

Q5: Can TDEE change with age?
A: Yes, metabolism generally slows with age, so TDEE may decrease over time even if weight and activity level remain constant.