Different groups of people have different daily calorie needs. For example, an adult athlete will need to consume more calories than a moderately active 3 year old.
When eating store-bought foods, be sure to look at the nutrition label to see how many calories are in one serving.
When eating out, choose what you’ll eat before you go. Most restaurants offer nutritional information online.
The following chart will help you determine the appropriate calorie need for your age, gender and activity level.
Nutrition: Determine Your Calorie Needs
| Activity Level | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Age (years) | Sedentary | Moderately Active | Active |
| Child | 2-3 | 1,000 calories | 1,000-1,400* calories | 1,000-1,400 calories* |
| Female | 4-8 | 1,200 calories | 1,400-1,600 calories | 1,400-1,800 calories |
| 9-13 | 1,600 calories | 1,600-2,000 calories | 1,800-2,200 calories | |
| 14-18 | 1,800 calories | 2,000 calories | 2,400 calories | |
| 19-30 | 2,000 calories | 2,000-2,200 calories | 2,400 calories | |
| 31-50 | 1,800 calories | 2,000 calories | 2,200 calories | |
| 51+ | 1,600 calories | 1,800 calories | 2,000-2,200 calories | |
| Male | 4-8 | 1,400 calories | 1,400-1,600 calories | 1,600-2,000 calories |
| 9-13 | 1,800 calories | 1,800-2,200 calories | 2,000-2,600 calories | |
| 14-18 | 2,200 calories | 2,400-2,800 calories | 2,800-3,200 calories | |
| 19-30 | 2,400 calories | 2,600-2,800 calories | 3,000 calories | |
| 31-50 | 2,200 calories | 2,400-2,600 calories | 2,800-3,000 calories | |
| 51+ | 2,000 calories | 2,200-2,400 calories | 2,400-2,800 calories | |
* - The calorie ranges shown reflect the needs of different ages within the group. Children and adolescents need more calories as they get older. However, adults needs fewer calories at older ages.
The following terms are used in the chart and are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Sedentary - a lifestyle that includes activity that is only associated with day-to-day life.
Moderately active - a lifestyle that includes physical activity equal to walking between 1.5 and 3 miles per day.
Active - a lifestyle that includes physical activity equal to walking more than 3 miles per day.
Sedentary - a lifestyle that includes activity that is only associated with day-to-day life.
Moderately active - a lifestyle that includes physical activity equal to walking between 1.5 and 3 miles per day.
Active - a lifestyle that includes physical activity equal to walking more than 3 miles per day.
More Information
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Reviewed/Updated: 10/07
Created: 10/07