The EAR is calculated by multiplying the BMR by a factor that takes account of the physical activity level. Table 2 shows the EARs for children. Table 3 shows the EARs for adults with low activity levels. Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom. Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients in the United Kingdom.
People vary but for adults the change in body weight is a good guide to energy balance.
A range of weights is shown against a given height because people with large frames have more muscle and bone than people with small frames and therefore weigh more. Ideally, people should be encouraged to find the energy intake that enables them to maintain their weight within the desirable range for their height. People who are obese are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, gallstones, arthritis, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer. 1 People who are overweight should lose weight by using their fat stores to provide energy and increasing their energy output. This means eating less and increasing their physical activity.