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.,
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. The individual suffering from this is either
overweight or obese and suffer from consequent disorders like high blood
pressure, hypercholesterolemia and type II diabetes.
Food habits of binge eating:
1.
Frequent dieting with erratic increase and
decrease in weight.
2.
Eating only when hungry or eating to the point
of extreme discomfort or consuming large amount during a short time.
3.
Avoiding eating at a social gathering or eating
only small amounts in front of others.
4.
Either avoiding physical activity or anything
that may invite attention or increased awareness about one's own body.
They show psychological changes and the signs include
1.
Depression, loneliness, guilt or shame and
having a low self esteem.
2.
Not able to control when eating and unable to
stop binges.
Being
preoccupied with dieting, body weight or food.
Both psychological and nutritional counseling is extremely important for
binge eaters.
2. Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to eat
and loss of body weight. This is more common among adolescent girls when they
try to avoid eating food due to over consciousness of their figure and social
stress.
They appear extremely thin or emaciated due to rapid weight loss and
complaint of nausea, vomiting or bloating after consuming normal food. Girls
suffer from loss of mensturation.
They refuse to eat, deny hunger or eat tiny portions of food. They
rigidly avoid specific foods like meat and milk.
They exercise heavily and show a different behaviour while eating such
as using special utensils while eating or cutting food into fine pieces or
eating very small spoons at a time.
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.
The bulimic adolescents eat large quantities of food and then binge. The
consequences are
1.
dental enamel erosion
2.
dental cavities
3.
swollen cheeks
4.
callus on back of hands
5.
fatigue and weakness due to malnutrition
6.
irregular menstrual period.
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