There are
many factors that affect caloric requirement; they include gender, age,
height, weight, body composition, and activity level. It is important
for teens to get the sufficient amount of calories each day so they can
stay energized throughout the whole day.
Gender
is a large factor in different requirements for calories. Generally, an
adult man has less body fat and moire muscle than a woman of the same
size and age. So normally, a man would require more calories than a
woman of the same size and age would. Muscle burns more calories than
fat does, which is why a man’s caloric needs are generally about 5-10
percent higher than a woman’s. This also applies to youths too.
Another
factor affecting caloric requirement is age. As you get older, your
metabolism slows down and the caloric intake is reduced. So the older
you are, the less calories are needed. However, teens are still growing
so the age factor does not apply to teens as much as adults.
Height/weight
and body composition can also affect caloric requirement. Generally,
the taller and heavier you are, the more fat is in your body, so a
higher amount of calories should be consumed to maintain that weight.
Also, losing muscle and gaining fat slows down metabolism.
Another
factor affecting caloric requirement is the person's activity level. A
teen who works out more burns more calories, which means they need a
higher intake to sustain themselves. A teen who is not as active
requires less calories since they aren’t burning as many calories as the
more active teen.
If
a teen does not consume the recommended amount of calories, he/she will
be tired easily. For a girl with an average activity level, average
height and weight, and aged 14-18, the recommended caloric intake is
2000 calories. For a boy with an average activity level, average height
and weigh, and ages 14-18, the recommended intake is 2400-2800 calories.
This does not apply to all average teens, so you should consult a
nutritionist or your doctor to find out how many calories is right for
you.
Sources:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/factors-influencing-calorie-needs-3580.html
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