Estimated Caloric Needs per Day, by Age, Sex, and Physical Activity Level, Ages 2 and Older
Age (y) | Male (calories) | Female (calories) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sedentarya | Activec | Sedentarya | Moderately Activeb | Activec | ||
2 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
3 | 1,000 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,400 |
4 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,400 |
5 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,600 |
6 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,600 |
7 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 1,800 |
8 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,800 |
9 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,800 |
10 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,200 | 1,400 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
11 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
12 | 1,800 | 2,200 | 2,400 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 2,200 |
13 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 2,600 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 2,200 |
14 | 2,000 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
15 | 2,200 | 2,600 | 3,000 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
16 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
17 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
18 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
19-20 | 2,600 | 2,800 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 2,400 |
21-25 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 2,400 |
aSedentary means a lifestyle that includes only the physical activity of independent living.
bModerately active means a lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking approximately 1.5-3 miles per day at 3-4 miles per hour, in addition to the activities of independent living.
cActive means a lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking more than 3 miles per day at 3-4 miles per hour, in addition to the activities of independent living.
Source: Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. National Academies Press; 2005.
Adapted from US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th ed. 2020. Accessed March 16, 2023. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf.