The caloric need for the average American depends of three key factors: age, gender and daily activity. You need fewer calories as you get older. Typically, males need more calories than females across all ages, and the more active you are, the more calories you need.
Children
The American Heart Association recommends that girls between the ages of 4 and 8 consume 1,200 calories a day and that boys of the same age consume 1,400 calories a day. Children between the ages of 9 and 13 require 1,600 calories a day for girls and 1,800 calories a day for boys. Teenage girls who are 14 to 18 years old should consume about 1,800 calories a day, whereas teenage boys of the same age should consume 2,200 calories a day.
Adults
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 2,000 calories a day for women between the ages of 19 and 30; 1,800 calories for women between the ages of 31 to 50; and 1,600 calories for women 51 and older. The USDA recommends 2,400 calories a day for men between the ages of 19 and 30; 2,200 calories for men between the ages of 31 and 50; and 2,000 calories for men 51 and older.
Considerations
Activity also plays a role in how many calories the average American should consume. Moderately active individuals, or those who walk or run 1.5 to 3 miles a day, can typically consume up to an additional 200 calories across age groups and gender. Individuals who are active, or those who walk or run more than 3 miles a day, can consume an additional 400 to 600 calories across age groups and genders. The degree of increase corresponds with how much over the 3-mile-a-day average an individual attains.
References
- American Heart Association: Dietary Recommendations for Healthy Children
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Chapter 2: Adequate Nutrients Within Calorie Needs
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005
- My Pyramid: Why Is It Important to Reach a Healthier Weight?
- My Phyramid: How Much Should You Eat?
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