1. What is a Physical Activity Coefficient (PAC)?

Definition: PAC is a dimensionless number that represents how much more energy you expend compared to your basal metabolic rate.

Purpose: It helps quantify your activity level and can be used to adjust calorie needs for weight management or athletic performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( PAC \) — Physical Activity Coefficient (dimensionless)
• \( TDEE \) — Total Daily Energy Expenditure (kcal)
• \( BMR \) — Basal Metabolic Rate (kcal)

Explanation: The ratio shows how many times more energy you burn than your resting metabolic rate.

3. Importance of PAC Calculation

Details: Understanding your PAC helps in creating personalized nutrition plans, setting fitness goals, and tracking activity levels.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your TDEE (from activity trackers or formulas) and BMR (from calculators or lab tests). Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do different PAC values mean?
A: Typical ranges: 1.2 (sedentary), 1.375 (light activity), 1.55 (moderate), 1.725 (very active), 1.9+ (extremely active).

Q2: How accurate is PAC?
A: It's an estimate. For best accuracy, use measured BMR and TDEE values rather than formulas.

Q3: Can PAC change day to day?
A: Yes, it varies with your activity level. Many people calculate weekly averages.

Q4: What's the relationship between PAC and PAL?
A: Physical Activity Level (PAL) is essentially the same concept as PAC, just different terminology.

Q5: How can I use my PAC value?
A: Use it to adjust calorie intake for weight goals or compare your activity level to standard categories.