The calories needed in a day depends on age, gender and level of activity. To maintain weight, you must eat the same number of calories that you burn. A gram of fat has 9 calories; a gram of carbohydrates or protein has 4.
Children
Children 2 to 3 years of age need 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day, according to the National Institute of Health, or NIH. Girls ages 4 to 8 need 1,200 to 1,800, while boys need 1,400 to 2,000. Girls ages 9 to 13 need 1,600 to 2,000 and boys need 1,800 to 2,600.
Teens
Caloric needs increase in the teen years. The NIH says females ages 14 to 18 need 1,800 to 2,400 calories and males need 2,200 to 3,200.
Adults
Women ages 19 to 30 need 2,000 to 2,400 calories per day and men need 2,400 to 3,000. Women ages 31 to 50 need 1,800 to 2,200, while men need 2,200 to 3,000.
Seniors
With age, caloric needs continue to decrease. Women over 51 need 1,600 to 2,200 and men need 2,000 to 2,800.
Pregnant and Lactating Women
During the second and third trimester of pregnancy, women may need an additional 300 calories a day, according to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois. Women who are breastfeeding may need an additional 500 calories.
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