Understanding Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices in Adolescence

Chapter1: INTRODUCTION:

NATURE OF ADOLESCENTS:

Adolescence is a period of rapid physical growth calling for adequate nutrition intake to meet growth requirements. It is also a period of emotional and psychological change, during which there is a tendency to reject conventional dietary habits. In addition, more meals are consumed outside the home.

Adolescence, the developmental stage between the onset of puberty and maturity, is important both biologically and socially. It is during this time that an adolescent’s body physically matures and the capacity for independent and abstract thought develops. (Hoelscher et al, 2002) This is also the time when many adolescents have greater freedom to make choices which will affect their health and social

It is the period of human development during which a young person must move from dependency to independence, autonomy and maturity. The young person moves from being part of a family group to being part of a peer group and to standing alone as an adult. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence covers the period of life between 10 and 20 years of age.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS:

The social behavior of adolescents typically increase the amount of time spent with their peers. Nearly eight hours are usually spent communicating with others, but only eight percent of this time is spent talking to adults. Adolescents report that they are far happier spending time with similarly-aged people as compared to adults. Consequently, conflict between adolescents and their parents increase at this time as adolescents strive to create a separation and sense of independence. One area of increased opportunity for independence is in food selection.

ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR EATING

Many adolescents receive a higher proportion of energy from fat and/or added sugar and have a lower intake of a vitamin A, folic acid, fiber, iron, calcium, and zinc than is recommended.

Many adolescents see themselves as being too fat, while some, particularly males, see themselves as too thin. About 34 percent of females and 13 percent of males report dieting to lose weight. Anxiety, worry, loneliness and difficulty in managing family relationships are all factors that can lead to a refusal to eat or to excessive eating. Stress and boredom often result in the compulsive eating of certain foods, called "bingeing".

Unhealthy food habit adolescents have is increased foods from 'other' food group. Think of the food pyramid, the 'other' food group is the smallest smallest section at the top with what is supposed to be the least amount of servings. Teens tend to eat too much high fat and calorie snack foods that are categorized in the 'other' food group.

ADOLESCENT’S PERCEPTIONS ON FOOD AND