How Many Calories Should a Ten Year Old Female Eat a Day?

Maintaining a healthy weight requires balancing calories consumed with calories burned. A 10-year-old girl needs enough calories to support growth and provide energy. The exact number of calories a girl needs depends on her activity level.

General Recommendations

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 recommends that girls ages 9 to 13 take in between 1,600 and 2,000 calories per day. The recommendations are based on median height and weight for the ages.

Activity Level Implications

Recommended Daily Calories for a Seven-Year-Old

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A sedentary 10-year-old should aim for about 1,600 calories per day. Sedentary is defined as doing only light physical activity associated with regular living. Those who are moderately active should consume between 1,600 and 2,000 calories per day. A moderately active lifestyle means performing activity equal to walking about 1.5 to 3 miles per day at a brisk 3 to 4 mph, in addition to daily activity. An active girl who exercises more than the equivalent of a daily, brisk 3-mile walk needs between 1,800 and 2,000 calories per day.

A Healthy Diet

If weight is a concern for a 10-year-old girl, you should encourage physical activity and provide healthy food choices that include whole, unprocessed products like fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy over candy, baked goods, chips and soda.