How ESHA calculates diet and activity

The identify activity level questions you answered when creating a MyDietAnalysis profile are based on a modification of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This assessment was initially tested with 15 faculty members at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado, and then compared to their actual Calorie expenditure based on the MedGem analysis.

Activity Calories are calculated using Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (MET) values, exercise duration, body weight, and a constant to account for the effect of food and post-exercise oxygen consumption:

Activity Calories = # of METS x activity duration (minutes) x 0.022 kcal/kg/min x body weight (kg).

Body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg) / height (meters squared).

Calorie calculation = The energy balance level (Calories consumed compared to total energy expenditure) is based on the DRI guidelines (National Academy of Sciences, Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy Press: Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Fat, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients), 2002.)