Energy intake and expenditure of medical college women

¹ Department of Physiology, Bikaner Medical College, Bikaner, India

Energy intake and output were determined in 11 women students of a medical college by analyzing the daily food consumed for protein, fat, and carbohydrate, recording the time spent in different activities, and analyzing the expired air during each activity. The period covered was 1 week. The average daily intake per student was 1,406 kcal and expenditure was 1,410 kcal. The average daily intake of protein, fat, and carbohydrate per girl was, respectively, 44.7 g, 43 g, and 210 g, which furnished 13, 27, and 60% of the total energy, respectively. Of the total energy 64% was expended in sleep, study, and rest, though these activities took 75% of the time. Ascending and descending stairs entailed more energy than cycling. Household work performed in a sitting position required more energy than standing activities (dancing, running, etc.). Energy intake and output just balanced, and the weight of the girls did not change during 1 week of the study.