The number of calories the average person should eat daily depends on several factors. Men and women have different calorie requirements, and the amount of exercise you get each day should be taken into consideration. Food labels are based on a 2,000-calorie diet, but this doesn't mean that's the number you should be shooting for. Let's look at how to calculate the calories you need on a daily basis.

Use the Harris Benedict Equation

The Harris Benedict Equation is a method used to estimate a person's daily calorie needs, based on her basal metabolic rate and activity level. BMR is the number of calories your body burns at rest each day and accounts for 60 to 75 percent of the calories an average person burns each day. The Harris Benedict Equation differs slightly for males and females: The Harris Benedict equation for males is: BMR = 66 + (6.3 x body weight in lbs.) + (12.9 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years). The Harris Benedict equation for females is: BMR = 655 + (4.3 x weight in lbs.) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years). For example, a 40-year-old, 180-pound woman who is 5 feet 5 inches tall would calculate her BMR as-follows: 655 + (4.3 x 180) + (4.7 x 65) - (4.7 x 40) = 1,546.

Use the Activity Multiplier

Use the activity multiplier after you have figured out your BMR to calculate the number of calories you should be eating daily, based on the amount you're exercising. Sedentary means that you get barely any exercise each day, lightly active means you get just a slight amount of exercise each day, moderately active means you average some light exercise most days of the week, very active means you get moderately intense exercise most days of the week, and extremely active means people who exercise very intensely most days of the week. Sedentary = BMR X 1.2 Lightly active = BMR X 1.375 Moderately active = BMR X 1.55 Very active = BMR X 1.725 Extremely active = BMR X 1.9 Using the example above, assuming the woman was lightly active, she would take her BMR of 1,546 and multiply it by 1.375, giving her 2,126 calories per day.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for long-term health. Some tips to help you maintain a healthy weight are setting realistic goals, making a solid commitment, creating a support network of friends and family and tracking your progress. Once you determine your target weight, keep in mind that it takes 3,500 calories burned to lose a single pound, so a one- to two-pound weight loss per week is considered healthy.

Photo Credits

  • Fuse/Fuse/Getty Images