How many calories should a 10 year old eat daily?

Answer 1

Depending on your child's current Body Mass Index and activity level, your child may need more or less.

About 2200kcal for normal weight boys and 2000kcal for normal weight girls.

If your child is overweight, do calorie restriction only under the guidance of a registered dietitian, and increase exercise. Don't buy foods that contribute to obesity; and for the love of God stay away from fast-food! If the Oreos aren't in the house, the overweight child can't eat them. Always encourage your child to eat "at least one bite" of a new, healthy food. They can even spit it out if they don't like it. Reward such food tastings with a modestly portioned snack of your child's favorite food. Eventually, they will acquire a taste for "gross" foods. It's Pavlovian training at its finest, ha-ha!

If your child is underweight, give a daily children's vitamin supplement, find nutritious foods that they like (for example chicken and cooked carrots) and make them often. Always encourage your child to eat "at least one bite" of a food. They can even spit it out if they don't like it. Reward such food tastings with a modestly portioned snack of your child's favorite food. Eventually, they will acquire a taste for "gross" foods. It's Pavlovian training at its finest, ha-ha!

To calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) Divide the weight (in pounds) by the height (in inches), squared, then multiply by 703. For example:

If you weigh 125 pounds, and your height is 5' 3", then it would be 125/3969 multiplied by 703*, which equals a BMI of 22, which is a very healthy BMI. Anything over 28 is considered too high.

*A height of 5 ft 3 inches is 63 inches, and 63 inches squared, or 632 equals 3969. You then divide 125/3969, which = .03. This is then multiplied by 703, which = 22.14. Round it to 22, which is the BMI.