With Kentucky having the distinction of being the fourth highest state in obesity, knowing how many calories your children should consume each day might help keep them from gaining too much weight. Keep in mind, these numbers are only averages.
To help prevent obesity a wise parent would investigate how many calories your child is eating each day.
The table below can give you an idea of how many calories your child should be eating per day. Keep in mind, the numbers are based on averages and that the meals or feedings can be from eight feedings per day for an infant breast feeding to five meals per day – three meals and two snacks – for the growing child.
Average Calories Needed Per Day*
Age Average Calories needed per day
0 – 5 months 650
5 – 12 months 850
1 – 2 years 1300
Table 1. MyPyramid Food Intake Pattern Calorie Levels
Males
Activity Level Sedentary Mod Active Active
AGE
2 1000 1000 1000
3 1000 1400 1400
4 1200 1400 1600
5 1200 1400 1600
6 1400 1600 1800
7 1400 1600 1800
8 1400 1600 2000
9 1600 1800 2000
10 1600 1800 2200
11 1800 2000 2200
12 1800 2200 2400
13 2000 2200 2600
14 2000 2400 2800
15 2200 2600 3000
16 2400 2800 3200
17 2400 2800 3200
18 2400 2800 3200
Females
Activity Level Sedentary Mod Active Active
AGE
2 1000 1000 1000
3 1000 1200 1400
4 1200 1400 1400
5 1200 1400 1600
6 1200 1400 1600
7 1200 1600 1800
8 1400 1600 1800
9 1400 1600 1800
10 1400 1800 2000
11 1600 1800 2000
12 1600 2000 2200
13 1600 2000 2200
14 1800 2000 2400
15 1800 2000 2400
16 1800 2000 2400
17 1800 2000 2400
18 1800 2000 2400
Calorie levels are based on the Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) and activity levels from the Institute Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes Macronutrients Report, 2002.
Activity Definitions
Sedentary: less that 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity in addition to daily activities. Moderately Active: at least 30 minutes up to 60 minutes a day of moderate physical activity in addition to daily activities. Active: 60 or more minutes per day of moderate physical activity in addition to daily activities.
For an interactive toolbox that will provide you with how many calories your child needs per day. http://pediatrics.about.com/library/bl_calorie_calc.htm
Menus for Preschoolers for 100 calories, 1200 calories, 1400 calories and 1600 calories.
http://www.mypyramid.gov/preschoolers/index.html
Table 2. Translating Calories Into Daily Food Amounts
Calories 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400
Fruits 1 c 1 c 1.5 c 1.5 c 1.5 c 2 c 2 c 2 c
Vegetables 1 c 1.5 c 1.5 c 2 c 2.5 c 2.5 c 3 c 3 c
Grain 3 oz 4 oz 5 oz 5 oz 6 oz 6 oz 7 oz 8 oz
Meat & Beans 2 oz 3 oz 4 oz 5 oz 5 oz 5.5 oz 6 oz 6.5 oz
Milk* 2 c 2 c 2 c 3 c 3 c 3 c 3 c 3
Oils 3 tsp 4 tsp 4 tsp 5 tsp 5 tsp 6 tsp 6 tsp 7 tsp
Extras 165 171 171 132 195 267 290 362
(discretionary calories)**
c = cup. oz = ounce. tsp = teaspoon.
*Teenagers, young athletes up to age 24, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need 3 or more servings a day (300 mg of calcium per serving) from the milk group.
**Obtain additional calories by choosing higher-calorie items from the five food groups, eating more servings of those foods and oils/fats, and enjoying more “extras.” Athletes who eat a balanced diet and still have trouble meeting their daily energy needs can obtain additional calories from high-carbohydrate drinks, meal replacement beverages, and energy bars.
Data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
From: www.mypyramid.gov.
