This version was machine-translated from German and has not been medically reviewed. The authoritative version is the German version.
Energy requirement (D-A-CH reference values)
Guideline values for energy intake from infancy to adolescence by sex and PAL
Infants (regardless of physical activity)
| Age | male | female |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to under 4 months | 550 kcal | 500 kcal |
| 4 to under 12 months | 700 kcal | 600 kcal |
DGE-FAQ 2015: “Only the reference values for infants were derived independently of physical activity, and for male and female infants respectively amount to 550 and 500 kcal per day at the age of 0 to under 4 months and 700 and 600 kcal per day at the age of 4 to under 12 months.”
Children, adolescents and adults by PAL value
| Age | PAL 1.4 | PAL 1.6 | PAL 1.8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| male | female | male | female | male | female | |
| 1 to under 4 years | 1,200 | 1,100 | 1,300 | 1,200 | – | – |
| 4 to under 7 years | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 1,800 | 1,700 |
| 7 to under 10 years | 1,700 | 1,500 | 1,900 | 1,800 | 2,100 | 2,000 |
| 10 to under 13 years | 1,900 | 1,700 | 2,200 | 2,000 | 2,400 | 2,200 |
| 13 to under 15 years | 2,300 | 1,900 | 2,600 | 2,200 | 2,900 | 2,500 |
| 15 to under 19 years | 2,600 | 2,000 | 3,000 | 2,300 | 3,400 | 2,600 |
| 19 to under 25 years | 2,400 | 1,900 | 2,800 | 2,200 | 3,100 | 2,500 |
| 25 to under 51 years | 2,300 | 1,800 | 2,700 | 2,100 | 3,000 | 2,400 |
All values in kcal/day.
Guideline values for average energy intake depending on resting energy expenditure and physical activity (PAL = physical activity level). The source: “In case of deviations from the normal range, especially in overweight and low physical activity, individual adjustments of the guideline values are necessary. The decisive control parameter is the current body weight.” For 1 to under 4 years the table gives no value at PAL 1.8.
PAL values
The DGE PAL examples refer to occupational and leisure activity of adults (1.4–1.5 office workers; 1.6–1.7 students, laboratory technicians; 1.8–1.9 salespeople, tradespeople; 2.0–2.4 people doing heavy physical work, competitive athletes). Those who are physically active (30–60 minutes, 4 to 5 times per week) may, according to the DGE, add 0.3 PAL units. For children the source gives no separate PAL classification; the three columns stand for little, moderate and much everyday physical activity.
No calorie counting for children
The guideline values describe the average of an age group, not the requirement of a particular child. Healthy children regulate their energy intake via appetite; the DGE names current body weight as the decisive control parameter – that is, the course along the percentile curve, not daily calories. The calculator is intended for orientation, for example when comparing portion sizes or in nutritional counseling.
Energy content of nutrients
According to EC Directive 90/496/EEC: 1 g protein 4 kcal (17 kJ), 1 g fat 9 kcal (37 kJ), 1 g carbohydrates 4 kcal (17 kJ), 1 g dietary fiber on average 2 kcal (8 kJ).
Guideline values for the average of an age group – not a target value and not a dietary prescription for an individual child. Whether a child eats adequately is shown by its thriving on the percentile curve.
Frequently asked questions
Energy requirement (D-A-CH reference values): What does this calculator compute?
D-A-CH reference values for average energy intake in kcal/day and kJ/day for infants, children and adolescents by age, sex and physical activity (PAL 1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8) – reference value of the age group and full table.
Energy requirement (D-A-CH reference values): Which sources is this calculator based on?
German Nutrition Society (DGE), Austrian Nutrition Society (ÖGE), Swiss Nutrition Society (SGE): Reference values for nutrient intake: energy – guideline values for energy intake for children, adolescents and adults (as of derivation 2015; binder since September 2025 in edition 3) (2025); German Nutrition Society (DGE): Selected questions and answers on energy intake (June 2015) – guideline values for infants, PAL values (2015)