What Is an Activity Factor?
Definition
Activity Factor: The multiplier that turns the basal metabolic rate into the daily energy need. It grows with daily movement; calorie calculations use values from 1.2 (sedentary) to 1.9 (extremely active).
An activity factor is the multiplier that turns your basal metabolic rate (BMR) into your daily energy need. It grows with daily movement. The calorie calculator uses the American Council on Exercise (ACE) table: sedentary 1.2, lightly active 1.375, moderately active 1.55, very active 1.725, extremely active 1.9. This is general information, not medical advice.
Where it appears in the formulas
daily energy need = BMR × activity factor. A woman with a BMR of 1,384 kcal needs 1,384 × 1.2 = 1,661 kcal a day when sedentary and 1,384 × 1.55 = 2,145 kcal when moderately active.
Physical activity level (PAL)
Scientific sources use the same idea under the name physical activity level (PAL). EFSA defines PAL as the ratio of total energy expenditure to resting energy expenditure over 24 hours, so total expenditure is PAL × resting expenditure. EFSA’s water intake values also assume moderate activity, a PAL of 1.6.