Recommended Daily Calorie Intake for Overweight Teenagers
For overweight adolescents aged 11-18 years, calculate resting energy expenditure using the Schofield equation based on actual body weight, then multiply by an activity factor (typically 1.2-1.5 for sedentary to light activity), and subtract 500-750 kcal/day to achieve approximately 0.5 kg weight loss per week, ensuring intake never falls below 900 kcal/day under medical supervision. 1
Step-by-Step Calculation Algorithm
Calculate Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)
For ages 10-18 years: 1
- Boys: REE (kcal/day) = 17.7 × weight (kg) + 658
- Girls: REE (kcal/day) = 13.4 × weight (kg) + 692
For ages 3-10 years: 1
- Boys: REE (kcal/day) = 22.7 × weight (kg) + 504
- Girls: REE (kcal/day) = 20.3 × weight (kg) + 486
Apply Physical Activity Factor
Multiply the calculated REE by the appropriate activity level: 1
- Sedentary/hospitalized: 1.2-1.3
- Light activity: 1.5
- Moderate activity: 1.7
- Vigorous activity: 2.0
Create Caloric Deficit for Weight Loss
Subtract 500-750 kcal/day from the calculated Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) to achieve approximately 0.5 kg (1 pound) weight loss per week. 1 This deficit should never result in intake falling below 900 kcal/day minimum under medical supervision. 1
Reference Values for Average Daily Needs
For general reference, average daily energy allowances for children and adolescents are: 2
Children:
- 1-3 years: 1,300 kcal/day
- 4-6 years: 1,800 kcal/day
- 7-10 years: 2,000 kcal/day
Adolescent Males:
- 11-14 years: 2,500 kcal/day
- 15-18 years: 3,000 kcal/day
Adolescent Females:
- 11-14 years: 2,200 kcal/day
- 15-18 years: 2,200 kcal/day
Critical Considerations for Overweight Adolescents
Always use the adolescent's actual body weight in the Schofield equation, not ideal or adjusted weight, as body weight is the main predictor of energy expenditure. 1 This is a common pitfall—using adjusted weight will significantly underestimate caloric needs and may lead to excessive restriction.
Research indicates that the energy gap responsible for weight gain in children averages only 110-165 kcal/day above maintenance needs. 3 This means that modest caloric reductions can be effective for preventing further weight gain, while larger deficits (500-750 kcal/day) are needed for active weight loss. 1
Expected Outcomes
With proper caloric restriction and comprehensive lifestyle intervention, expect: 1
- BMI reduction of approximately 1.18 kg/m² over 6-12 months
- Weight loss of 3-4 kg over the intervention period
Essential Adjunctive Measures
Add 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity physical activity to enhance weight loss. 4 Physical inactivity is a major contributor to adolescent obesity, as energy intake has not substantially increased over recent decades despite rising obesity rates. 5
Ensure adequate protein intake of at least 1 g/kg body weight/day to preserve muscle mass during weight loss. 6
Implement daily self-monitoring of food intake, physical activity, and body weight, as this significantly improves success rates. 4
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not rely on self-reported energy intake from overweight adolescents to guide caloric prescriptions. Research shows that overweight adolescents older than 7-10 years paradoxically report consuming fewer calories than their healthy-weight peers, likely due to underreporting. 7 This makes objective calculation using the Schofield equation essential rather than relying on dietary recall.
Address meal timing and regularity. Overweight adolescents are more likely to skip meals (particularly breakfast), eat fewer total meals per day, and consume most calories (65%) between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. 2, 8 Irregular eating patterns contribute to weight gain independent of total caloric intake.