Skip to content
ENExplore Calculators

Senior Calorie Needs Calculator

Work out senior calorie needs instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Senior Calorie Needs Calculator

Applies Mifflin-St Jeor with an activity factor and pairs it with the higher protein target of 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg recommended for older adults.

Formula

Older adult energy and protein

BMR = 10 x weight + 6.25 x height - 5 x age + 5 or -161; protein targets of 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg are advised to limit sarcopenia

Worked example

With the default values below, Senior Calorie Needs Calculator returns Daily needs when lightly active of 1,844. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Weightaccepts 30–200 kg
70 kg
Heightaccepts 120–210 cm
168 cm
Ageaccepts 60–105 years
72 years
Sexone of Male, Female
Female

Results

Daily needs when lightly active
1,844 kcal/day
Basal metabolic rate
1,229 kcal/day
Daily needs when sedentary
1,475 kcal/day
Protein target at 1.2 g/kg
84.0 g/day

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Older adult energy and protein
  3. 3Daily needs when lightly active= 1,844 kcal/day
  4. 4Basal metabolic rate= 1,229 kcal/day
  5. 5Daily needs when sedentary= 1,475 kcal/day
  6. 6Protein target at 1.2 g/kg= 84.0 g/day

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does protein need rise with age?

Anabolic resistance means older muscle responds less to the same protein dose, so higher intake is needed to maintain mass.

Why do energy needs fall?

Lean mass and activity both decline, reducing requirements by roughly 100 kcal a decade after midlife.

Related Calculators

Senior Calorie Needs Calculator | Calcrivo