What is the EER for older, underweight individuals?

The Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) for older, underweight individuals is best represented by the range of 27-28 kcal/kg. This range is designed to meet the increased energy needs that can arise due to factors such as a higher resting metabolic rate, muscle maintenance, and overall health maintenance in older adults who may be struggling with being underweight.

Older adults can face challenges such as muscle loss, decreased appetite, and changes in metabolism, which necessitate a tailored energy intake to help ensure adequate nutrition and to promote a healthy weight. The specified calorie range would support not only weight maintenance but also proper functioning and quality of life.

The options outside of this range do not adequately account for the specific energy needs of these individuals. Lower calorie ranges might not provide sufficient energy to prevent further weight loss or support the unique metabolic demands of older adults, while higher ranges exceed what is typically necessary and could lead to unwanted weight gain or avoidable health complications. Therefore, the 27-28 kcal/kg range is the most appropriate for these individuals.