What are the estimated daily caloric requirements for an active 65-year-old woman who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 128 pounds?

To estimate the daily caloric requirements for an active 65-year-old woman who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 128 pounds, several factors are taken into account, including age, sex, weight, height, and activity level.

For women in general, daily caloric needs decrease with age due to a decline in basal metabolic rate and changes in body composition. However, activity level plays a crucial role in determining overall caloric needs. An active lifestyle increases caloric requirements because physical activity elevates energy expenditure.

In this scenario, considering the height (5 feet 5 inches), weight (128 pounds), and the activity level (active), the calculated caloric needs would typically fall into the range of about 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day. An approach often used for estimating these needs includes the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which accounts for an individual's basal metabolic rate and adjusts it based on activity factors.

If we analyze the options provided, the choice of 2,000 calories is aligned with common recommendations for an active woman of this age and size. This amount enables her to maintain energy levels throughout the day while supporting muscle preservation and overall health.

The other caloric estimates, such as