Why is it important for sedentary individuals to determine their caloric needs?

Determining caloric needs is crucial for sedentary individuals primarily to prevent weight gain. Understanding how many calories their bodies require helps them make informed decisions about their diet and activity levels. When individuals are aware of their caloric needs, they can balance their energy intake with their energy expenditure effectively. If a sedentary individual consumes more calories than their body uses, this caloric surplus can lead to weight gain over time.

For those who are not active, knowing their caloric requirements is particularly important because their daily energy expenditure is lower compared to those who engage in regular physical activity. This knowledge enables individuals to adjust their eating habits and, if desired, incorporate physical activity to maintain a healthy weight.

Other considerations like monitoring food intake, enhancing muscle growth, or limiting exercise frequency each play a role in health and fitness, but they are not as directly connected to the primary concern of managing body weight for those who are not currently active.