Does anyone else think that the 2,000 calories a day RDA is a big part of the obesity problem?

Answer 1

I personally think any more than 1700 calories a day is too much because the average american burns around 1500 calories naturally. And the average american doesn't exactly do any type of calorie burning exercise, once they eat more than their body burns they will gain weight

Answer 2

No, this isn't the problem. Many people need at least this much to support their lifestyle. The problem is twofold: unhealthy diets and lack of activity. I would argue that the latter is more problematic. Today's populace is less active than 20 years ago, and with that inactivity has come lots of health problems -- obesity is only one of these problems. That people overeat or eat unhealthy is only exacerbated by the overwhelming inactivity in people's lives. Heck -- many people don't even walk anymore, and have office jobs that require as little movement as possible. When they do eat, they eat whatever they can get. I wouldn't blame it on the recommended 2000 calories a day -- I mean, this number obviously is not appropriate for everyone, and many people will gain weight from eating this much. However, the reason for THAT isn't because the number is too high. It is due to the fact that few people actually need that many calories due to dysfunctional lifestyles that entail sitting and hunching over a computer all day long.

Answer 3

The RDA recommendation has nothing to do with obesity. Those who are obese generally pay no attention to the RDA in the first place. Besides, your calorie needs relate to your height, weight, metabolism, and activity levels. The RDA is just a ballpark figure for the average adult who does mild to moderate exercise. BTW, 2000 calories is for teens and athletic adults. They use a 1500 calorie diet for the percentages on nutrition labels.

Answer 4

It could be now that you mention it...I don't have a big appetite, I exercise 5-6x per week and I'm a vegetarian. I'm lucky to get 1200 calories per day...I eat fresh fruit and veggies, salads, low-fat snacks like granola bars and beans or rice for my protein and starch, respectively. I also don't eat dairy products.
Having said all that, many people would think I'm hungry all the time, but I'm not. I'm perfectly healthy. I don't know where that 2K calorie standard came from, but it's really intimidating. There's NO way I could ever eat that much in one day...not with eathing the "right" things.
I guess it's much easier to eat 2,000 calories when there is fast food, pizza, meat and junk food involved.

Answer 5

I would starve to death on 2000 calories because of my workout schedule. During the summer, I lose weight on anything under 3500.

RDA is just a ballpark average. If your life revolves around a couch, a CRT, and a refrigerator, then 2000 calories is probably way more than you need.

Answer 6

Across the board, yes, it may be a little much but you can't make that assumption. Metabolism and activity level has a lot to do with it...people that are more active need more calories to burn for energy. It also depends on the type of foods...eating a cheeseburger with 500+ calories (and a lot more fat and carbs) is a lot different than eating 500+ calories in fruits and vegetables.

Answer 7

For the physically active american it's fine, but most americans lead fairly sedentary lives. I do think for most the 2000 calories a day rule of thumb should be lowered.

Answer 8

I think its the fact that people don't pay attention to calories, so they have 5000 instead of 2000. Sitting on your butt all day doesn't help either...

Answer 9

keep in mind, that its not 2000 for ever person... that is the average. I think that mine is about 1500. anything over, i gain and anything under, I lose weight.

Answer 10

its not necessarily the number of calories taken in, its also WHAT KIND of calories