OKay, so this has been bothering me for awhile-- how could 1200 calories be the minimum for ALL women? I realized that I am actually on the short side-- I am 5'3" which many women are taller than me at 5'4" to 5'9".

How could a set number apply to all of us? it would seem like if you are taller, you would have more muscles to cover your longer bones and would need more calories versus shorty me.

That is just a general reccomendation that if you are eating LESS than 1200 calories a day you may be robbing yourself of needed nutrients.