Caloric Intake for Youths

Adequate caloric intake helps fuel your child's growth and development. Your child's specific calorie needs vary based on his activity level, age and other factors. Both the quantity and the quality of your child's caloric intake make a significant impact on his short-term and long-term health. You child's doctor can help you determine the best caloric intake for your child, based on his own medical history.

Toddlers

Toddlers need between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day, according to KidsHealth. This is about half of the average adult's daily calorie intake. Calorie ratios are a bit different during the toddler years. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that toddlers ages 1 to 3 obtain 45 percent to 65 percent of their total caloric intake from carbohydrates, which is the same as children, adolescents and adults. However, only 5 percent to 20 percent of toddlers' calorie intake should come from protein, with 30 percent to 40 percent of total calories coming from fat. This increased fat intake aids in brain development and helps fuel the rapid growth that occurs during these early years.

Young Children

Girls ages 4 to 13 need between 1,200 and 1,600 calories per day; boys in the same age group need 1,400 to 1,800 calories a day, according to the American Heart Association. Fat needs decrease at the age of 4; after that, only 25 percent to 35 percent of total calories should come from fat. Protein needs increase to 10 percent to 30 percent of caloric intake. Children in this age group can meet these needs by increasing their intake of lean meat or beans and drinking low-fat or reduced-fat milk.

Teenagers

Teenage girls ages 14 to 18 need 1,800 calories daily; teenage boys need 2,200 calories. Calorie ratios for protein, carbohydrates and fat remain the same as they were during childhood. The two primary goals during the teenage years are to build strong bones and prevent obesity, according to Meals Matter, an online resource provided by the Dairy Council of California. Ensure that your teenager meets these goals by providing nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Avoiding Empty Calories

Empty calories are those in foods that contain lots of calories and little or no nutrients. According to the National Institutes of Health, almost 40 percent of the calorie intake for children comes from empty calories in soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza and whole milk. Combined with decreased physical activity levels, this high consumption of empty calories contributes to the significant rise in childhood obesity as well as related conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Although empty-calorie foods are okay as an occasional treat, regular consumption is detrimental to your child's health and may cause problems later in life.