The number of calories a person burns in a day varies widely based on factors such as age, sex, weight, height, muscle mass, and activity level. Generally:
- For men, daily calorie burn ranges approximately from 2,000 to 3,000 calories depending on activity level and age. For example, a moderately active 50-year-old man (5'10", 165 lbs) needs about 2,400 calories per day to maintain weight
- For women, the range is roughly 1,600 to 2,200 calories daily, with a moderately active 50-year-old woman (5'6", 135 lbs) needing about 1,900 calories per day
This total includes:
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which accounts for 60-75% of daily calorie burn and represents the energy used for vital functions like breathing and circulation
- Physical activity, which can significantly increase calorie burn depending on intensity and duration. For example, one hour of running at 5 mph can burn around 600 calories for a 160-pound person
- The thermic effect of food (TEF), about 10% of daily calorie expenditure, which is the energy used to digest and process food
- Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), which includes everyday movements like walking and gardening, burning between 100 and 800 calories daily depending on the person’s lifestyle
In summary, the average person burns roughly:
- Women: 1,600 to 2,200 calories/day
- Men: 2,000 to 3,000 calories/day
These numbers increase with more physical activity and muscle mass and decrease with age
. Thus, a typical daily calorie burn depends on your unique characteristics and lifestyle, but these ranges provide a solid estimate.
