This study was carried out on the energy expenditure and physical capacity of 504 persons from 17 occupations. The energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry using a Douglas bag and Scholander s gas analyser. The physical capacity was determined by the Harvard s step test and the maximum oxygen consumption using a treadmill. The assessment of the daily energy expenditure for each subject was made by the factorial method using a record of the activies throughout 24 hours of every survey day. The total daily energy expenditure is the sum of all energy expenditure. This was calculated by multiplying the caloric value of the metabolic rate by the time spent on each activity. Most of the occupations involved moderate or heavy work.