Mealsizer® and childrens energy needs

Children have greater energy requirements than adults in relation to their body size, since children need energy for growth. Infants, who usually triple their weight during the first year of life, need the most energy in relation to their weight. The need for energy per kilogram of body weight then gradually decreases so that around the age of 18, it is in line with the adult’s energy needs.

If you want to use Mealsizer^® for your child, we recommend you to have simultaneous contact with a dietician or other health care at the same time, so you can get advice on what is best for your child. For children, either Mealsizer^® Small (1500 kcal/day) or Mealsizer^® Medium (2100 kcal/day) is recommended, depending on your child’s age and gender.

In the table below (retrieved from the Swedish National Food Agency) you can see reference values for children’s energy intake, based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. Note that the values are only approximate. Just as for adults, children’s energy needs are individual and depend on several different factors, including how active the child is, growth, weight and basic energy needs. There is no formula that can calculate a child’s exact energy needs.

In the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations you can read more about what you should consider when it comes to your child’s nutritional intake.

Mealsizer is recommended used at most child obesity clinics in Sweden today, as an easy-to-use pedagogical tool, to help children and families gain a better understanding of what a normal portion should look like and what parts it should consist of.

"All children in treatment receive their own Mealsizer®, and several families have thought it was such a good help, so they have bought a Mealsizer to all other family members as well. We help these families to a healthier lifestyle"

Åsa Berglund Nurse in the obesity treating team at the children's clinic, Ängelholm, Sweden

Klick here or at Åsa above, for more testimonials about Mealsizer for childern!

Reference values for energy intake*

(Approximate values rounded to nearest whole value)

Age	Girls	Boys
	kcal/day	kcal/day
2 years	990	1070
3 years	1190	1260
4 years	1330	1410
5 years	1400	1490
6 years	1460	1560
7 years	1540	1680
8 years	1620	1740
9 years	1700	1830
10 years	1980	2140
11 years	2000	2130
12 years	2090	2250
13 years	2190	2390
14 years	2270	2570
15 years	2340	2760
16 years	2370	2910
17 years	2390	3030

*The table is adapted from the Swedish National Food Agency, based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations.

Download EXTRA INFORMATION for Mealsizer, developed by health care professionals within obesity treatment for children: