Learning About Calories

A calorie is a unit of measurement, but it doesn't measure size or weight, it measures energy. When you hear someone say that contains 100 calories, it's a way of explaining how much energy your body could get from eating or drinking it.

Are Calories Bad for You?

Calories aren't bad for you, because your body needs calories for energy. However if you eat too many calories - and don’t’ burn them off with exercise- you could gain weight.

Almost all foods and drinks contain calories. You can find out how many calories are in a serving of food by looking at its nutrition facts label. The label will also describe the components of the food – such as how many grams of carbohydrate, protein, and fat it contains.

Here's a breakdown of how many calories are in 1 gram of each:

• 1 gram of carbohydrate = 4 calories
• 1 gram of protein = 4 calories
• 1 gram of fat = 9 calories

How Many Calories Do Kids Need?

Kids come in all sizes and each person's body burns energy (calories) at different rates, so there isn't a standard number of calories that every kid should eat. But there is a recommended range for most school-age kids: 1,600 to 2,500 per day.

Most kids don't have to worry about getting enough calories because their body - and feelings of hunger - help regulate how many calories they eat. Kids who are active and move around a lot will need more calories than kids who don't. If you eat more calories than your body needs, the leftover calories turn into fat. And too much fat can lead to weight gain. You can avoid this by limiting high-calorie foods, such as sugary sodas, candy, and fast food, and by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Exercising and playing are really important, too, because activity burns calories!

How Your Body Uses Calories

Some people believe they have to burn off all the calories they eat or they will gain weight, but this isn't true! Your body needs calories to operate - to keep your heart beating and your lungs breathing. As a kid, your body also needs calories to help you grow and develop. And you burn off calories without even thinking about it - by walking your dog or making your bed.

But it is a great idea to play and be active for at least 1 hour a day. That means spending time playing sports, running around outside, or riding your bike. It all adds up. Being active every day helps keep your body strong and maintain a healthy weight.

Get Up, Get Out, Get Fit!

Excerpt from Kids Health - http://www.kidshealth.org. Visit the site for more information on this topic and many other interesting youth and teen health and fitness articles.