"Average" is a tough word to define, especially when it's referring to body type and weight, which varies greatly from person to person. The Harris-Benedict equation is a means of calculating the daily caloric needs of any person based on weight, age, gender, height and daily exercise.
Basal Metabolic Rate
The Harris-Benedict Equation uses a person's Basal Metabolic Rate, or the number of calories used by the body per day at rest, to begin quantifying the daily caloric needs of a person.
Activity Level
Determine your weekly activity level and multiply your BMR by the corresponding number. If you're sedentary, multiply your BMR by 1.2. If you're lightly active, multiply by 1.375. For moderately active, multiply by 1.55. If you're extremely active, multiply by 1.725.
Doing the Math
Tom is 47 years old, 5 ft. 8 in. tall and weighs 175 pounds. Using the BMR Calculator, we can determine that Tom has a BMR of 1,700. Tom plays racquetball a few times per week, putting him in the moderately active category. Multiply his BMR of 1,700 by 1.55 for a a daily caloric intake of 2,635.
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