**Question:** Calorie requirement per day of a child weighing 15 kg would be

A. 1,000 calories
B. 1,200 calories
C. 2,000 calories
D. 1,500 calories

**Core Concept:** Calories are units of energy that our body needs to perform basic bodily functions, grow, and maintain body weight. The daily calorie requirement depends on factors such as age, sex, height, weight, activity level, and body composition. Generally, the basal energy expenditure (BEE) is calculated to determine an individual's daily calorie requirement.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** A 15 kg child needs fewer calories compared to an adult, but the recommended daily calorie intake for a child is not specific to weight alone. The BEE (basal energy expenditure) formula is used to calculate daily calorie requirement:

BEE = (10 x weight [kg] + 6.25 x height [cm] + 5 x age [years] + 5) x 15

For a 15 kg child, let's calculate BEE:

BEE = (10 x 15 + 6.25 x 150 + 5 x 12 + 5) x 15
BEE = (150 + 937.5 + 60 + 5) x 15
BEE = 1,747.5 x 15
BEE = 26,212.5 kcal/day

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. 1,000 calories (This is too low for a child of this age and weight, leading to stunted growth and other health issues.)
B. 1,200 calories (This is still too low for a growing child, potentially causing health problems.)
C. 2,000 calories (This is the daily calorie intake for an average adult, not suitable for a growing child.)
D. 1,500 calories (This is also too low, causing health issues in children.)

**Core Concept (Expanded):**

Calorie requirement for a child of this age and weight depends on their growth stage, with infants and toddlers needing higher calories than older children and adolescents. Growth spurts, activity levels, and body composition also impact daily calorie needs. The BEE formula is used to estimate daily caloric requirements for children, taking into account factors like weight, height, and age.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**

Calculating the BEE of a 15 kg child shows a daily calorie need of 26,212.5 kcal/day, which is suitable for a growing child considering their age, weight, height, and growth stage. This amount is more than enough to meet their energy requirements for growth, development, and daily activities.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. 1,000-2,000 calories are too low and may lead to stunted growth