Age	Calorie requirement per day
Upto 6 months	120 calories per kg. body weight
7-12 months	100 calories per kg. body weight
1-3 years	1200 calories per kg. body weight
4-6 years	1500 calories per kg. body weight
7-9 years	1800 calories per kg. body weight
10-12 years	2100 calories per kg. body weight
13-15 years boys	2500 calories per kg. body weight
13-15 years girls	2200 calories per kg. body weight
16-18 years boys	3000 calories per kg. body weight
16-18 years girls	2200 calories per kg. body weight
Men
light work	1900 calories per kg. body weight
medium work	2800 calories per kg. body weight
heavy work	3400 calories per kg. body weight
Women
light work	1900 calories per kg. body weight
medium work	2200 calories per kg. body weight
heavy work	2800 calories per kg. body weight

I . Calories requirement depends upon the body weights, occupation and age of the person. The calorie requirements given above are for medium weight persons. 2. For older persons reduce the calorie requirement as follows: 40-49 years -5%
50-59 years - 10%
60-69 years - 20%
over 70 years - 30%
3. The calorie requirements can be worked out more correctly by the following formula (for men) :

a) Sedentary worker (light work) Desirable wt. (kg.) x 40 cal.
b) Moderately active worker (medium work) Desirable wt. (kg.) x 50 cal.
c) Heavy duty worker (heavy 9. work) Desirable wt. (kg.) x 60 cal.
4. In the category of light work come clerks, professionals, shop assistants, drivers etc.

In the category of medium work come gardeners, railwaymen, postmen, industrial workers, bus conductors and heavy vehicle drivers.

In the category of heavy work come miners, building labourers, farmers, dockers, coolie, army recruits etc.

5. For expectant mothers, add 300 calories per day extra at a later period. For lactating mothers, add 700 calories per day extra.
6. The calories which are not consumed by the body as a fuel i.e. unutilized calories, are stored in the body in the form of fat.

7. Storage of 3500 calories as fat in your body will increase your weight by one pound. Similarly, if you take a total of 3500 calories less than your body requirements for a period of time, you will lose one pound of weight.

There are mainly three sources of calories in our food: carbohydrates, fats & proteins. One gm. of carbohydrate releases 4 calorie of energy. One gm. of fat (butter, ghee, oil) releases 9 calories and one gm, of protein releases 4 calories.

It is recommended that 5060% of calories needed for our body should be obtained from carbohydrates, 30% from fats and 10% from proteins.