Final answer:
The claim is false. In the first twelve months of life, the caloric needs per kilogram actually decrease as the infant grows older, since the rate of weight gain slows down after the first two months.
Step-by-step explanation:
False: During the first twelve months of life, the amount of kcal/kg needed for normal growth does not continue to increase. In fact, it decreases as infants grow older.
Initially, infants will experience rapid growth in both weight and length, typically gaining about 28g (1 oz) per day for the first two months. This rate of growth requires a high calorie intake. After the initial two months, the rate of weight gain slows down, and as a result, the caloric intake per kilogram of body weight decreases.
It is important to note that while the total calorie intake might increase as the child grows due to their larger size, the calorie requirement relative to body weight actually decreases. The phenomenon is contrary to the belief that caloric needs per kilogram increase with age during the first year of life.