Calorie guidelines for adolescents vary from 1,800 to 2,800 calories per day, depending on differences in activity level and gender. Growth spurts, during which teens gain both height and weight, can temporarily increase your child's hunger levels and calorie requirements. Maintain a regular meal routine and supply healthy snacks such as fruit, cheese and whole grain sandwiches; this can help to teach healthy life habits while feeding growth-related hunger.
Level of Activity
A moderately active adolescent requires approximately 2000 calories per day. A moderately active lifestyle includes any kind of daily activity which equates to walking between one and a half and three miles. If your child is more or less active than this, their calorie needs will vary accordingly. Depending on activity levels, this can vary from 200 to 800 calories up or down.
Gender and Nutrition
Boys can require between 400 and 800 more calories per day than girls, since their bodies are building more muscle, which leads to a faster metabolism. All growing teens need protein from lean meat and fish, and calcium from dairy products. Girls will also need more iron to replace the blood loss during menstruation. Meat, eggs, beans and peas are good sources of iron.
Healthy Weight
Adolescents are growing rapidly and may go through a phase of appearing overweight. This is normal. An appropriate daily calorie intake is what your child needs and it is unwise to institute any low-fat or other diets during the teenage years. if you are concerned about your child's weight, ask a doctor, nutritionist or other professional.
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