Based on a 2000 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average number of calories consumed by women is less than that of men of the same age. This survey found an overall average difference of more than 600 calories per day between women and men of all ages. The average caloric intake peaks between the ages of 20 and 39 for both men and women.
Women
Women between the ages of 12 and 39 consume about 2,000 calories per day, according to the CDC survey. The average caloric intake of all women is 1,833 calories per day, according to this same survey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans reports that moderately-active adult women should consume 2,000 to 2,200 calories per day. Adult women over the age of 50 may need as few as 1,800 calories per day, according to these guidelines.
Men
The overall average consumption of men, according to the CDC, is 2,475 calories per day. However, men between the ages of 20 and 39 consume an average of more than 2,500 calories per day. This survey points out that men aged 60 or over consume an average of about 2,000 calories per day. This is consistent with the USDA's recommendation of 2,200 to 2,400 calories per day for elderly men. The recommendation for moderately-active men between ages 18 and 60 is 2,400 to 2,800 calories-a-day.
Children
Children require fewer calories than most adults. The only exception is for adolescents and teenagers who engage in daily vigorous activities, such as basketball or soccer. The CDC survey reports the average caloric intake of children under the age of six-years-old is slightly more than 1,500 calories per day for boys and slightly fewer than 1,500 calories per day for girls. This ratio is consistent between boys and girls between the ages of six and 11-years-old where the average caloric intake jumps to about 2,000 calories per day. These averages are within the USDA's recommendation for moderately-active children.
Nutrient Breakdown
According to the CDC, the average daily consumption of carbohydrates makes up 52 to 55 percent of total caloric intake. The intake of protein ranges from 13 to 16 percent of total caloric intake. Intake of fat averages about 33 percent of total calories no matter the age group. The average intake of saturated fat is 11 percent of total calories, which is more than the recommended maximum intake of 10 percent of total calories per day. Saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke over time.
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