Guidelines on calorie needs for teenagers seem to vary according to country. For example, American calorific guidelines suggest higher calorie intakes for teens than European guidelines. Thus both are included in the calorie charts below. Note however, that pediatric nutritionists and dietitians agree that a balanced diet, including foods from all main food groups, which contains enough calories to maintain a healthy weight, should meet all the energy requirements of healthy adolescents and teenagers. So counting calories is not strictly necessary. However, as an approximate guide, here are the basic teenage calorie requirements.
For older children - adolescents and teens - Calorie Needs For Teenagers are determined by gender as well as age. Boys typically need more calories than girls. Other relevant factors in calculating energy needs include a child's size, body composition and level of activity. An active teen at the top of the pediatric growth chart typically requires more calories than a smaller or less active child.
US Guidelines: Calorie Needs For Teenagers
| Teenage Girls Age | Average Calorie Needs Each Day |
| 11-14 years | 2200 calories |
| 15-18 years | 2200 |
| Teenage Boys Age | Average Calorie Needs Each Day |
| 11-14 years | 2500 |
| 15-18 years | 3000 |
UK Guidelines: Calorie Needs For Teenagers
| Age of Teenage Girl | Average Calorie Needs Each Day |
| 11-14 years | 1845 calories |
| 15-18 years | 2110 |
| Age of Teenage Boy | Average Calorie Needs Each Day |
| 11-14 years | 2220 |
| 15-18 years | 2755 |
Source: UK Department of Health (London)
Comments
More schools should be adding this into their lessons and acknowledging it in their cafeterias, and more parents need to learn this, too.
You're right. There is a really weird discrepancy there. Is the average teen in the US considered to be more active and therefore needs more calories? I can't see how there should be a difference this big between the two.
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