Man's Energy Requirements

     Metabolic rate is limited by the energy value of the food taken into the body. The human body cannot expend more energy than it takes in and unless it is to draw heavily on its reserves, the necessary energy must be provided by the diet. What then are man's basic energy requirements?
To sustain life at its minimum level, a basal metabolic rate of about 7500kJ/day is required. This figure applies to a man lying at rest. It does not include the energy required to one to feed him or herself. As an indication of a persons normal energy requirements, it is hardly applicable to everyday life. Attempts have been made to work out the energy requirements of an 'average man', one who spends a normal proportion of his or her time sleeping, walking, and performing the sundry activities that most people face in their daily lives.

     Ignoring individual variations, this works out at about 13,400 kJ/day (9.3kJ/min) for a young man and about 9600 kJ/day (6.7 kJ/min) for a young woman. A woman's energy requirement increases during pregnancy and without doubt a coal miners energy requirement is much greater than that of a high court judge. Below are some typical popular foods and their energy value;

Sandwich, chicken and mayo                 1672 kJ

Battered fish and chips                            2533 kJ

 California sushi roll                                640 kJ

Whole BBQ Chicken (806kJ/100g)         7290 kJ

 Custard tart                                            1477 kJ

It is disturbing to realize that over two-thirds of the world population receive less energy than the recommended minimum and in many parts of the world the daily energy intake is only just sufficient to maintain the basal metabolic rate. This is due to various factors which include poor income and standard of living, unemployment, poor food preparation, consumption of meals but not a balanced diet. Energy is effectively released to the body when the right food is consumed by an individual to meet certain nutrient level the body requires. Despite challenging economic crisis, resolve to eat healthy because this is your key to a healthy life and productive moments!

STAY PRODUCTIVE AND HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK!