Counting Calories
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff
![Updated by an Factmonster Editor on February 21, 2017](/themes/ip/images/info-circle.png)
A calorie is a type of measurement that indicates how much energy food gives us. Food labels tell you how many calories a food contains. In general, kids ages 7 to 12 should take in about 2,200 calories each day. Teenage girls should also need about 2,200 calories, while teenage boys require about 2,800.
Calorie Consumption
Here's a look at about how many calories you burn per hour for certain activities.
Activity | Calories burned |
---|---|
Bicycling (12 miles per hour) | 384 |
Dancing | 210 |
Downhill skiing | 288 |
Hiking | 288 |
Jogging (6 mph) | 790 |
Playing basketball | 380 |
Playing soccer | 360 |
Roller skating (9 mph) | 336 |
Sleeping | 90 |