Daily Calorie Requirement for Men

Men and women are wired differently, as much on the inside as the outside. So it comes as no surprise that calorie requirements for men aren't the same as those for women. Men typically have 10 to 20 percent more lean tissue than women of a similar size and age, therefore their calorie intake should be more as well.

History of the Calorie

• In 1863, according to The Journal of Nutrition, the calorie was defined as a unit of measure for heat energy. Later that century, the German school of physiology introduced calorimetry to determine nutritionally balanced feed for animals. By the early 20th century, the calorie was being used as a standard way to quantify the energy content of food for humans.

Nutrition for Men

• Men tend to eat better than women. A USDA National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed that women are likely to fall short of getting enough folic acid, zinc, iron, and vitamin B6 in their diets. Though the foods women eat meet caloric needs, many of those calories come from diet foods lacking in proper nutrients. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to eat actual meals that contain the nutrients their bodies need to stay healthy.

  According to the Mayo Clinic, the average male needs a maintenance level of 2,800 calories per day. That number varies depending on a man's physical activity, age, weight, metabolism and muscle mass.

Basic Metabolism Rate (BMR)

• BMR is the total number of calories the body uses for normal functions when at rest. Daily functions include digestion, circulation, regulation of temperature, respiration, and cell construction. BMR accounts for two-thirds of daily calorie use.

  Men with fast metabolisms, who seem able to eat as much as they want and not gain a pound, have likely inherited a naturally high BMR. Even so, it won't last forever because metabolic rate usually slows with age.

Lean Body Mass (LBM)

• The higher the LBM, or muscle mass, the higher the BMR. The more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn without exercise because muscle is metabolically active tissue. You can increase your BMR by increasing your LBM.

  There are 3,500 calories in one pound of stored fat. Chris Aveto of Muscle Fitness Magazine exposes a myth that says a man would need to cut out 3,500 calories a week to lose one pound. The math seems to add up, but other factors come into play, like an excessive calorie expenditure could slow down metabolism. That's when the body goes into starvation mode and refuses to drop the weight. The key is to achieve a balance of diet and exercise, and not overdo either.

Activity Levels

• When trying to lose, gain or maintain weight, activity levels should be taken into consideration. Cardiovascular activity is good for the heart, and different levels will burn varying amounts of calories. A man can play racquetball for 30 minutes and burn 400 calories, or take a half-hour brisk walk and burn just 180 calories. Men's level of activity determines the amount of calories used as it helps maintain a healthy lifestyle.