Energy balance
Females have a significantly lower sedentary 24-hour energy expenditure (24EE) than males, even after adjusting for fat-free mass, fat mass, age, and spontaneous physical activity.
Women naturally burn about 100-125 fewer calories per day than men of similar size and activity levels. This is a small but real physiological difference. To manage weight, women may need to be slightly more precise with caloric intake or slightly more active than men with similar body composition, but the difference is manageable and not a barrier to health.
In summary, sedentary 24EE is 5-10% lower in females compared with males after adjusting for differences in body composition, age, and activity.
Why this rating
Large sample size (n=235), rigorous measurement (respiratory chamber), and robust statistical adjustment for body composition and activity.
Source
Lower sedentary metabolic rate in women compared with men.
R Ferraro et al. · Journal of Clinical Investigation · 1992
DOI 10.1172/jci115951
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