Children burn more body fat day-to-day than adults do, underscoring their need for a little extra fat in their diets, according to researchers. Though many adults try to limit their fat intake for the sake of their hearts and waistlines, experts recommend that parents allow more leeway in their children's diets.
Adults are advised to get anywhere from 20 percent to 35 percent of their daily calories from fat, while the recommendation for teenagers and children older than 3 is 25 percent to 35 percent. Babies and toddlers need even more fat - 30 percent to 40 percent of daily calories. The reason for the extra fat allowance is that fast-growing bodies need adequate calories and nutrients of all kinds for proper development. The new study, published online by Nutrition Journal, supports these recommendations.