Physical activity level category (PA CAT) definitions
Definitions
Physical activity level category (PA CAT) defined for inactive, low active, active and very active levels
| Age group | Physical activity level category (PA CAT) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inactive | Low active | Active | Very active | |
| 3 to <9 years | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.31 | 1.31 ≤ PAL < 1.44 | 1.44 ≤ PAL < 1.59 | 1.59 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| 9 to <14 years | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.44 | 1.44 ≤ PAL < 1.59 | 1.59 ≤ PAL < 1.77 | 1.77 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| 14 to <19 years | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.56 | 1.56 ≤ PAL < 1.73 | 1.73 ≤ PAL < 1.92 | 1.92 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
| 19 years and older | 1.00 ≤ PAL < 1.53 | 1.53 ≤ PAL < 1.68 | 1.68 ≤ PAL < 1.85 | 1.85 ≤ PAL < 2.50 |
Children 0 to 3 years
EER equations for infants and children 0 to 3 years are the same for all physical activity levels.
Age 0 to <3 months
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 200
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 180
Age 3 to <6 months
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 50
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 60
Age 6 to <12 months
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 20
Age 1 year to < 3 years
Males
EER = –716.45 – (1.00 × age [y]) + (17.82 × height [cm]) + (15.06 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
EER = –69.15 + (80.0 × age [y]) + (2.65 × height [cm]) + (54.15 × weight [kg]) + 15
Children and adolescents 3 to 18 years
There is a separate equation for each physical activity level category (PA CAT).
Age 3 years to < 4 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 15
Age 4 years to <9 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 15
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 15
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 15
Age 9 years to <14 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 25
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 25
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 25
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 25
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 30
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 30
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 30
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 30
Age 14 years to <19 years
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = –447.51 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (13.01 × height [cm]) + (13.15 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Low active
EER = 19.12 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (8.62 × height [cm]) + (20.28 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Active
EER = –388.19 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (12.66 × height [cm]) + (20.46 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Very active
EER = –671.75 + (3.68 × age [y]) + (15.38 × height [cm]) + (23.25 × weight [kg]) + 20
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 20
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 20
Adults 19 years and older
Males
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 753.07 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (6.50 × height [cm]) + (14.10 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Low active
EER = 581.47 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (8.30 × height [cm]) + (14.94 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Active
EER = 1,004.82 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (6.52 × height [cm]) + (15.91 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Very active
EER = –517.88 – (10.83 × age [y]) + (15.61 × height [cm]) + (19.11 × weight [kg])
Females
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 584.90 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (5.72 × height [cm]) + (11.71 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Low active
EER = 575.77 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.60 × height [cm]) + (12.14 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Active
EER = 710.25 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.54 × height [cm]) + (12.34 × weight [kg])
PA CAT Very active
EER = 511.83 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (9.07 × height [cm]) + (12.56 × weight [kg])
Pregnancy second and third trimester, any age
For the first trimester of pregnancy, use the appropriate non-pregnant equation.
Underweight pre-pregnancy BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 300
Normal weight pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 200
Overweight pre-pregnancy BMI (25.0–29.9 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) + 150
Obese pre-pregnancy BMI (≥ 30.0 kg/m2)
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 1,131.20 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (0.34 × height [cm]) + (12.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
PA CAT Low active
EER = 693.35 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (5.73 × height [cm]) + (10.20 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
PA CAT Active
EER = –223.84 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (13.23 × height [cm]) + (8.15 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
PA CAT Very active
EER = –779.72 – (2.04 × age [y]) + (18.45 × height [cm]) + (8.73 × weight [kg]) + (9.16 × gestation [weeks]) – 50
Breastfeeding, 0 to 6 months postpartum
Ages less than 19 years
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
Ages 19 years and older
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 584.90 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (5.72 × height [cm]) + (11.71 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Low active
EER = 575.77 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.60 × height [cm]) + (12.14 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Active
EER = 710.25 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.54 × height [cm]) + (12.34 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
PA CAT Very active
EER = 511.83 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (9.07 × height [cm]) + (12.56 × weight [kg]) + 540 – 140
Breastfeeding, 7 to 12 months postpartum
Ages less than 19 years
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 55.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (8.43 × height [cm]) + (17.07 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Low active
EER = –297.54 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (12.77 × height [cm]) + (14.73 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Active
EER = –189.55 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (11.74 × height [cm]) + (18.34 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Very active
EER = –709.59 – (22.25 × age [y]) + (18.22 × height [cm]) + (14.25 × weight [kg]) + 380
Ages 19 years and older
PA CAT Inactive
EER = 584.90 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (5.72 × height [cm]) + (11.71 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Low active
EER = 575.77 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.60 × height [cm]) + (12.14 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Active
EER = 710.25 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (6.54 × height [cm]) + (12.34 × weight [kg]) + 380
PA CAT Very active
EER = 511.83 – (7.01 × age [y]) + (9.07 × height [cm]) + (12.56 × weight [kg]) + 380