Should I worry about calories at 13? Navigating Teen Nutrition and Body Image
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases (NIDDK), 13-year-old females need between 1,400 and 2,200 calories daily, and males need between 1,600 and 2,600, depending on activity levels. So, **should I worry about calories at 13?** For most teens, the answer is no, and focusing on a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is far more beneficial.