How many calories does your body burn at rest? Doctor explains

Dr. Andrei Simakov, a specialist in neurogastroenterology, explained that the body burns calories even when completely at rest, with daily rates reaching up to 1,800 calories for men and 1,400 for women.

Simakov noted that "a person who spends the day in front of a computer or lying on the couch still uses more than a thousand calories daily. This energy is mainly used to keep the body warm, as humans are warm-blooded and require a constant energy supply."

He added that "metabolism remains active even with little movement, and the body continuously consumes energy." He emphasized that "the common belief that calorie burn increases significantly in cold weather is not accurate, as a noticeable rise requires exposure to extreme cold or unusual living conditions."

Factors affecting calorie burn rate

The specialist explained that the rate of calorie consumption at rest is calculated using formulas that consider gender, age, and weight. He pointed out that calorie burn is relatively higher in youth, then gradually decreases with age, with a noticeable decline typically after the age of sixty.

Regarding weight, Simakov stated that "a man weighing about 80 kilograms burns around 1,700 to 1,800 calories per day at rest, while a woman weighing 55 kilograms burns about 1,300 to 1,400 calories. For those with higher body weight, such as a man weighing 140 kilograms, daily calorie burn at rest can reach 2,600 or 2,700 calories."

Physical activity and its impact

It is noted that physical activity increases energy consumption. Light exercise slightly raises calorie burn, while regular training or physical labor leads to a significant increase in the number of calories burned daily.