Appendix 10

Estimated Energy
Requirement (EER)

Daily estimated energy requirements to maintain body weight are calculated

using a formula to account for four factors: gender, age, activity level and cur-
rent weight. Modest energy-deficit diets, which would achieve about 0.5 kg
(1 lb) a week weight loss, are based on daily dietary intake of 600 calories less
than the person’s daily energy requirement. Work out the patient’s ‘Estimated
energy requirements for a 600-calorie energy-deficit diet’ using the informa-
tion below. This information uses the Schofield and WHO energy-requirement
equations, but we recognise that there are alternative equations that you may
prefer to use.

BMR
Based on the patient’s age, gender and current weight (in kg) as listed in the
chart below, predict their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This is based on modi-
fied Schofield equations (see the Department of Health’s Dietary Reference
Values, 1991).

Age range for men and women

Basal metabolic rate equals:

Age Men Women

18–29 years 15.1 × weight (kg) + 692 14.8 × weight (kg) + 487
30–59 years 11.5 × weight (kg) + 873 8.3 × weight (kg) + 846
60+ years 11.9 × weight (kg) + 700 9.2 × weight (kg) + 687

Weight Management: A Practitioner’s Guide, First Edition. Dympna Pearson and Clare Grace.
© 2012 Dympna Pearson and Clare Grace. Published 2012 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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 236 Weight Management

PAL
Incorporate the patient’s Physical Activity Level (PAL) based on the gender and
activity levels shown in the chart below. Do this by multiplying the patient’s
estimated BMR with the appropriate figure from the table. Few patients are likely
to have activity levels above ‘inactive’.

Activity level Description Men Women

Inactive Assume sitting most of the day with less 1.4 1.4
than 2 hours on their feet.
Light Assume some daily exercise – at work or 1.5 1.5
tasks about the house or garden – with at
least 2 hours on their feet.
Moderate Assume 6 hours on their feet or regular 1.78 1.64
strenuous exercise.
Heavy Those in heavy labouring jobs or serious 2.1 1.82
athletes in training.

EER
Calculate the patient’s daily estimated energy requirement to maintain weight by
multiplying BMR and PAL.

EER for weight loss

Subtract 600 calories from the above figure to estimate the patient’s energy
requirement for modest weight loss.
(Source: DOM UK/NDRI.)

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