The 2000 calorie standard

Maybe the 2000 is assuming you are quite active and so includes the calories you would be eating back as it were.

I'm on that much at the moment to lose but got a fair way to go until im considered an average size.

Well the 'average' woman in the USA is overweight, so I think that's probably not too far off the truth

I think the average woman probably does get 2000 calories per day...I know I was until I started using MFP! And frankly, less than 1800 seemed to be SO SMALL to me...but now that I've been at it for a month, it seems like a lot. It's perception and habit. And, a lot of processed food! Plus...focusing on the number when weight loss isn't a goal seems silly to me...it should be WHAT you eat, not how much. And yeah with 2000 calories they must be getting in a healthy dose of exercise daily!

If I walk 20-30 minutes per day, I burn about 2000 calories total calories. More on days I exercise even more. Less on days I don't don't walk or exercise at all.

According to the USDA, we actually eat an average of 2,700 calories per day in the U.S. So most of us aren't following the guidelines anyway. http://www.usda.gov/factbook/chapter2.pdf

With my activity I maintain right around 2800 or so...without exercise I maintain around 2400. I don't do anything crazy exercise wise either...I lift weights 3x weekly for 45-60 minutes and get out on my bike for 45-60 minutes 3-4 days per week for a ride. I usually go for a 30 minute walk at lunch on lifting days and that's about it unless I'm training for an event...in which case I need far more calories.

My wife is 5'2" and 125 Lbs and pushing 39 and maintains around 2200-2300 with her activity. So I'd say for the average female getting in a little activity, 2000 would be about right...I think my wife is right around 1800 without exercise for maintenance...that's only a couple hundred calories off and she's a shorty.

Really, I think it just assumes some general activity...I don't think it's balls to the wall exercising...just sorta lightly active I would say.

The 2000 figure is an average. I maintain on around 2400 (5'8'', 31F)

ETA: I would have thought that the 2000 figure assumes the average person follows the recommended guidelines of doing 2.5 hrs of exercise per week.

Meh. The FDA is a weird organization. I would just trust what you and/or your doctor says should be your target maintaining calorie intake.

Keep in mind the FDA calorie recommendation is also based on the recommended amount of daily activity (roughly 30 mins of moderate intensity activity)...

after eating 1200 for a good half a year now, I struggle to think how I would even manage to eat 2000!

I suppose if you were really active 2000 calories would be reasonable, but the majority of people don't make an effort to be very active outside their everyday lives. It's confusing because there is no disclaimer saying "2000 calories a day if you exercise". lol

i don't think it really matters because all it really effects on the label is the '% of recommended daily intake'.

i just look at cals and macros and do my own math.

But i guess your saying that the government is trying to tell you that a woman should eat 2000 to maintain?

i guess thats on some website or something? because all it says on my food lables is 'precent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet'.

I don't see them differentiating between men and woman, nor saying that this is the amount of calories you should eat to maintain weight.