Nutrition During Adolescence
The transition from childhood to adulthood is called adolescence. This
period (13-18 years) is characterized by rapid growth and development at all
levels i.e.,
CHANGE IN EATING HABITS
Psychological
pressures on adolescents influence their eating habits. Boys generally tend to
have a better appetite than girls and this helps them to meet their nutritional
demands. The adolescent girls are at a disadvantage due to the following
reasons.
with considerable amount of fat deposits and less physical activity than
boys, girls may gain weight.
figure consciousness due to social pressure may force her into a self
imposed crash diet for weight loss or self starvation leading to eating
disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa.
The
adolescents also develop a liking for fast foods which are nutritionally
inadequate and rich in saturated fats and may skip meals at times.
Hence adolescents should be educated to consume a balanced nutritional
diet including iron rich, calcium rich, protein rich foods and avoiding junk
foods providing empty calories.
The adolescents should be advised not to miss meals and that, emotions
should not dominate during meal times.
EATING DISORDERS
1. Binge eating
Binge
eating is a eating disorder characterized by the consumption of a large amount
of food in a small amount of time and may start at any age often not recognized
till adulthood.
2. Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia
nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to eat and loss of body
weight.
3. Bulimia nervosa
This is in quite contrast with anorexia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa is a
eating disorder characterized by periods of bingeing and purging and developing
unrealistic ideas about food.
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