Children need to balance their energy, too, but they are also
growing and that should be considered as well. Energy balance in
children happens when the amount of energy taken in from food
or drink and the energy being used by the body support natural
growth without promoting excess weight gain.
Many factors can lead to energy imbalance and weight gain. They
include genes, eating habits, how and where people live, attitudes
and emotions, life habits, and income.1