Preparing for the future – nutrition for adolescents

During this period of intellectual growth, development and advancement, students are not only taught academic and technical vocational skills; but educators, parents, religious leaders, and others seek to implement good moral values, principles, and discipline which are critical elements in shaping character.

In today’s society contributory factors such as technology, peers, and family members may probably play a major role in influencing their decisions. Today’s article will focus on nutrition during adolescence.

Teens’ health Perhaps you might agree that adolescence is an exciting time, but somewhat challenging period in human development. According to authors Dr Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump, adolescents experience rapid growth and development that you cannot help but notice; it affects physical and psychosocial health.

“The changes in cognitive and emotional functioning aid them in becoming more independent as they mature. Within this period being accepted by their friends, sharing opinions, and peers become at times much more important than cherished family values; such behaviours tend to create conflicts between teens and their parents or family members, and even others in authority. Examples of psychological changes noted from early to late adolescence can include, but should not be limited to preoccupation with body size, shape, and body image; strong peer influence; expanded cognitive ability, including abstract reasoning; social, emotional, and financial independence becomes more pronounced; usually develop their own set of core values, to guide their moral, ethical, and health-related decisions.” Overall, good nutrition is also essential during this period of development in maintaining one’s nutritional status. But, the psychosocial development of adolescents may positively or negatively impact their health.

For during adolescence, some may be obsessed with body image and possibly choose to restrict calories by consuming too little, avoiding nutritious foods, or even skipping meals regularly because of the fear of weight gain; as well as even engaging in exercise for lengthy periods of time during the day. These eating habits tend to impact health and in some cases weight control behaviours may contribute to eating disorders.

Example of eating disorders include, anorexia nervosa — characterised by the following: refusing to maintain normal body weight, always seeing oneself as overweight even if they are not; intense fear of weight gain; distortion of body image; and amenorrhoea (absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles) in postmenarcheal females.

Another is bulimia nervosa – the illness is characterised by a repetition of binge eating episodes after which the individual might engage in purging, self-induced vomiting, and the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas or even non-purging behaviours such as fasting or participating in excessive exercise. Whatever the case, eating disorders can affect the health of children, teens, and adults; you should note if these eating behaviours exist, scheduled a visit with your medical doctor and follow his/her medical advice.

Taking a look at food habits Considering all of the above mentioned points, you can conclude that adolescents’ dietary intakes can vary due to several influencing factors, of which when examined may not necessarily be the best. Generally, good dietary practices among this specific target population may be affected by skipping a meal or two, excessive snacking (these snacks are usually high in fat, sugar, and salt), greater consumption of sugary beverages, the availability of income within the home to buy food, decrease influence of members of household and greater influence of peers on food choices, increase exposure to social media, sometimes employment outside the home with the increase in discretionary spending capacity, and the increase in responsibilities in the home having to care for younger siblings or even parents and/or grandparents leaving them with very little time to consume their meals Making changes Moreover, a balanced diet adequate in the macro and micronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, and water) will aid in helping teens to meet their daily nutritional requirements.

Therefore to support growth and development healthy eating habits are beneficial, contributing to healthy bones, skin, energy levels, and boost the immune system; while lowering potential risk for dental caries, eating disorders, constipation, malnutrition, and iron deficiency anaemia (US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture, 2005).

When planning meals, meal managers should incorporate the ideas of adolescents and other persons within the household, and make available snacks that are nutritious and delicious e.g. yogurt, granola, fruit pieces, veggie sticks with dip, fruit smoothie, milk shakes, mini muffins, pizza pieces, trail mix, popcorn, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, sandwiches, mini roti, etc. Add to the meal plan fruits, vegetables, peas and beans, and foods from the staples and foods from animals food groups.

Encourage adequate water intake throughout the diet; the recommendation – six to eight glasses per day in plain or flavoured form with fresh fruit pieces.

Limit concentrated sweets, and foods high in fat and salt.

Also to help teens make good food choices cafeteria operators can make available healthy food choices, and vending machines should have a variety of nutritious snacks.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD – Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology, and Allied Health.