The community suggests that the physical activity categories (such as "sedentary" or "lightly active") used in caloric needs calculators are vague and often misleading labels, leading to an overestimation of one's actual energy expenditure when attempting to lose weight.

noli's read

The consensus among users is that metabolism calculation is an approximation prone to error rather than an exact science. Research confirms this caution: observational studies and meta-analyses on Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) show great inter-individual variability, making standard formulas sometimes imprecise (source: Journal of Applied Physiology). It is scientifically accurate that sedentary behavior is distinct from structured exercise: one can be "sedentary active," meaning one exercises while spending the rest of the day inactive, which has little impact on overall caloric expenditure. The idea that calories burned via exercise are often offset by increased fatigue or food overconsumption is well-supported, notably by work on metabolic compensation. Finally, the community converges toward a pragmatic approach: labels matter less than observing results on the body. This is a vision consistent with wellness practice, even though the language is indeed simplified.

the sources

1. 1r/loseit