Abstract The physical health of children and adolescents has received widespread attention in recent years, and a series of problems due to unbalanced energy expenditure have come into focus. Energy expenditure in children and adolescents is influenced by multiple factors including body composition and physical activity level. By analyzing and summarizing the characteristics and specificities of energy expenditure in children and adolescents at different ages, the review aims to formulate a targeted design and implementation plans for future intervention studies.