Estimated Number of Calories Needed Based on Age*, Sex, and Activity Level†
Sex | Sedentary | Active† |
|---|---|---|
Young children (age 2–6 years) | ||
Boys | 1,000–1,400 | 1,000–1,800 |
Girls | 1,000–1,200 | 1,000–1,600 |
Older children and adolescents (age 7–18 years) | ||
Boys | 1,400–2,400 | 1,600–3,200 |
Girls | 1,200–1,800 | 1,600–2,400 |
Adults (age 19–60 years) | ||
Men | 2,200–2,600 | 2,400–3,000 |
Women | 1,600–2,000 | 1,800–2,400 |
Adults (age 61 years and over) | ||
Men | 2,000 | 2,200–2,600 |
Women | 1,600 | 1,800–2,000 |
* The number of calories needed increases as people age up until age 20 years. After age 20, the number of calories needed starts to decrease. | ||
† The more active a person is, the higher the number of calories needed. | ||