Younger people need more calories?

Happy4lifeHHH
Happy4lifeHHH Posts: 188 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So here's my theory...... The younger you are, the more calories you should eat (taking into consideration you are trying to lose fat) so that you don't ruin your metabolism or make it slower for when you are older.... What do you think?

Replies

  • Energizer06
    Energizer06 Posts: 311 Member
    Yes and no! Age does play a role in caloric burn. No, you can not "destroy" your metabolism. There have been numerous studies done regarding the effects of very low calories and metabolic slow down. Most agree that it has very little to no effect on the overall effect on metabolic rate. Yes, it slows but our bodies are incredibly adaptable and once the calories begin to increase so does the metabolic rate and its ability to uptake nutrients.
  • rosered93
    rosered93 Posts: 69 Member
    True in that young people are still growing and inherently need more calories, all things considered. All the way till your early 20s you're growing, so not having a profound deficit or a net intake that is rather low is very important. And as was said, you can't permanently ruin your metabolism, but if you start dieting at 16 and teach your body to maintain with 1600 calories when it could/should be maintaining with say 2300--you're doing yourself in the moment and in the future a great disservice.
  • TimeForMe99
    TimeForMe99 Posts: 309
    Your metabolism will slow as you age - there's no way around it. And you won't ruin your metabolism but you will affect your overall health if you don't eat properly when you are young.

    Just for fun, calculate your BMR at different ages, or change the gender. It's surprising how much these factors change the results. If I were 19 again my BMR would be 140 calories higher. If I were a guy I'd pick up another 200 calories. Life is so not fair sometimes!
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Absolutely true.

    A 19 year old girl who is 5'5, 130 lbs has a BMR around 1440 calories a day.

    Same height and weight at 49 years old: BMR is 1295.

    Not a huge difference, but a difference.
  • jaygreen55
    jaygreen55 Posts: 315 Member
    Age related decline in BMR is caused by the fact that most people lose muscle mas as they age. Muscle mass can be retained or even increased into your 50s and beyond with regular strength training As for the 145 calorie difference in the example of a 19 year old and 49 year old woman that can be compensated for with a brisk 30-40 minute walk every day. I work out 5-6 days a week and accumulate 60- 90 minutes of walking over the course of the day. I'm 58 and still eat like I used to in my teens and don't worry about my metabolism slowing down

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