Daily protein target by condition, based on published clinical-nutrition guidance. Uses
actual body weight unless noted otherwise — substitute IBW or AdjBW as appropriate.
Reviewed by Pooja V. Menon, Registered Dietitian·Last updated
Reference ranges (g/kg/day)
Condition
Range
Source
Healthy adult — RDA
0.8
IOM DRI 2005; WHO/FAO/UNU 2007
Healthy adult — maintenance
1–1.2
Phillips et al. 2016
Older adult (≥ 65 y)
1–1.2
Bauer et al. 2013 (PROT-AGE)
Older adult with acute / chronic illness
1.2–1.5
Deutz et al. 2014 (ESPEN-aligned)
Acute / chronic illness (hospitalised)
1.2–1.5
Gomes et al. 2018 (ESPEN)
Critical care
1.2–2
McClave et al. 2016 (ASPEN/SCCM)
Sarcopenia prevention
1–1.5
Morton et al. 2018
Athlete — endurance
1.2–1.4
Thomas et al. 2016 (AND/DC/ACSM)
Athlete — resistance / hypertrophy
1.6–2.2
Morton et al. 2018 meta-analysis
Pregnancy
1.1
IOM DRI 2005
Lactation
1.3
IOM DRI 2005
CKD stages 3–5, non-dialysis
0.55–0.6
KDOQI 2020
Chronic hemodialysis
1–1.2
KDOQI 2020
Peritoneal dialysis
1–1.2
KDOQI 2020
Cancer (oncology nutrition)
1–1.5
Muscaritoli et al. 2021 (ESPEN)
Burn injury (adult)
1.5–2
Rousseau et al. 2013 (ESPEN burns)
Notes
For adults with a BMI ≥ 30, use IBW or adjusted body weight as the denominator — actual body weight overestimates lean mass and inflates targets.
Spread protein across 3–4 meals at ~0.4 g/kg per meal for muscle-protein synthesis (Morton 2018, Moore 2015).
Renal and hepatic patients need individualised targets from the treating team.
