It can be hard to know whether or not your child is eating an appropriate amount for his age. The U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines can help to assess this as objectively as possible.
The USDA Guidelines
The USDA recommendations for an 11 year old depend on the gender and activity level of the child. The guidelines define an active lifestyle as "a lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking more than 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life." In contrast, a child who does not engage in any extra physical activity is classed as sedentary.
Calorie Requirements
An 11-year-old girl who leads a sedentary life is advised to consume approximately 1,600 calories per day. A much more active 11-year-old girl should consume 2,200 calories daily. An inactive boy of the same age should consume about 1,800 calories per day, while an active 11-year-old boy should consume 2,600 calories per day.
Caution
These figures are only guidelines; your child's calorie needs will also depend on her metabolism, health and a number of other factors. Consult your physician to discuss your child's nutritional needs in more detail.
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