How much energy do adolescent boys and girls (13-15 years) require daily?

Punjab CHO - 2021

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: Punjab CHO - 2021

Explanation

Adolescence (13-15 years) is a period of intense growth and development, known as the adolescent growth spurt, which demands high energy intake.
According to the latest ICMR (2020) guidelines, the recommended energy allowance for boys aged 13-15 is 2860 kcal/day, and for girls, it is 2400 kcal/day.
The option of 2800 kcal for boys and 2400 kcal for girls is the closest and most accurate choice reflecting these scientific recommendations.
Boys typically require more energy than girls of the same age due to greater increases in lean body mass and a higher basal metabolic rate.

Option B: These values (2000 kcal for boys, 1800 kcal for girls) are too low for the rapid growth phase of 13-15 year olds.
Option C: These values (2500 kcal for boys, 2200 kcal for girls) underestimate the peak energy needs for adolescents aged 13-15, especially for boys.
Option D: These values (3000 kcal for boys, 2800 kcal for girls) are too high for the average adolescent in the 13-15 age group with moderate activity.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Adolescent Nutritional Requirements as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in conducting nutritional assessments and providing dietary counseling to adolescents and their families to ensure adequate energy and nutrient intake for healthy growth and development.
Inadequate caloric intake during this critical period can lead to stunted growth and delayed puberty, while excessive intake can result in overweight and obesity, increasing the risk for chronic diseases later in life.
What if? If an adolescent in this age group is a competitive athlete training several hours a day, their energy needs would be significantly higher. The nurse would need to recommend a personalized dietary plan with an additional 500-1500 kcal/day, depending on the sport's intensity and duration, to support performance and growth.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key demographic in the question: adolescents aged 13-15 years, with a distinction between boys and girls.
Recognize that this is a factual recall question based on established nutritional guidelines, such as those from the ICMR in the Indian context.
Recall the physiological principle that adolescence is a period of rapid growth (growth spurt), which significantly increases energy requirements compared to childhood.
Remember that due to differences in body composition and metabolic rate, adolescent boys generally require more calories than adolescent girls.
Evaluate the given options. Eliminate choices that are clearly too low (more suitable for younger children) or too high (more suitable for older adolescents or athletes).
Select the option that most accurately reflects the standard recommended dietary allowances for this specific age and gender group.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Adolescent Nutritional Requirements
Stem keywords: energy, adolescent boys, adolescent girls, 13-15 years, daily requirement
Lead-in keywords: How much

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