Since Halloween is just around the corner and most kids will be eating lots of the candy they have collected, here’s some helpful information to help you to control the amount of candy your children consume.

Here’s some specific calories on the candy your children will be getting in their Halloween bags. Typically the nutrition label is not on the small bite size candy treats.

1 fun size bar: Snickers 80 calories, Butterfingers 85 calories, 3 Musketeers 63 calories, Baby Ruth 85 calories, Nestle Crunch 60 calories, Kit-Kat 70 calories.  Mini packs: M & Ms 73 calories, Skittles 60 calories.  Mini candy bars: Snickers 45 calories, mini Twix 50 calories, mini Musketeers 25 calories, mini Reese’s Cup 44 calories. Strawberry Twizzlers snack pack 30 calories, Tootsie Roll 23 calories, Tootsie Roll Pop 60 calories, Lollipop 20 calories, Sweet Tarts 1 pouch 50 calories, 1 Starburst Chew 20 calories, Butterfinger Crisp 105 calories, Tootsie pop 60 calories, Smarties 1 roll 25 calories, Nerds 1 box 45 calories, Sweetarts chews 4 pieces 140 calories.  

Obesity is OUT-OF-CONTROL in the US. 

It’s no secret obesity is out of control in the US for adults and also for children. There’s lots of reasons for the obesity problem in the US. 

Here’s the scoop on obesity for children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in 2017-2020:

• The prevalence of obesity was 19.7% and affected about 14.7 million children and adolescents.
• Obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 20.7% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 22.2% among 12- to 19-year-olds. Childhood obesity is also more common among certain populations.
• Obesity prevalence was 26.2% among Hispanic children, 24.8% among non-Hispanic Black children, 16.6% among non-Hispanic White children, and 9.0% among non-Hispanic Asian children.

But in 2022,

• Because of Covid-19 lockdowns & school closure mandates, current studies have shown rate of obesity among children age 5 to 11 rose because a more sedentary lifestyle was imposed. On average, 5 year olds gained about 12.5% of their weight, while 11-year olds gained 6%. The percent of children in this age range considered overweight or obese skyrocketed from 36% to 45.7%.

See Table 1. Calories Needed Each Day Based on Age and Activity Level. Calories needed Each Day for Boys & Teens and Girls & Teens*

Table 1. Calories Needed Each Day Based on Age and Activity Level.

Calories needed Each Day for Boys & Teens*

Age                        Not Active                       Somewhat Active             Very Active

2-3 yrs                   1000-1200 calories           1000-1400                      1000-1400

4-8 yrs                   1200-1400 calories           1400-1600                       1600-2000

9-13 yrs                 1600-2000 calories           1800-2200                       2000-2600

14-18 yrs                2000-2400 calories          2400-2800                       2800-3200

Calories needed Each Day for Girls & Teens

Age                        Not Active                       Somewhat Active             Very Active

2-3 yrs                   1000                                 1000-1200                        1000-1400

4-8 yrs                   1200-1400 calories        1400-1600                        1400-1800

9-13 yrs                 1400-1600 calories        1600-2000                       1800-2200

14-18 yrs               1800 calories                  2000                                 2400

*From: http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Keep in mind, kids rarely eat just one fun size bar or one mini pack. Confession: I could eat my weight in Snickers bars but…parents need to put the breaks on the amount of candy their children eat. I realize Halloween only comes once a year but it seems like kids are celebrating and overeating a lot when you look at the obesity statistics. There’s always something to celebrate with lots of food, desserts and candy.

Image from: www.change.org