Nutrition in adolescents
Picture of health and active youth
Healthy eating is a lifestyle that should start as early as possible. Many adolescents continue the food habits that their families follow.
During adolescence, the body goes through several physical changes. It is one of the age windows when the body grows fast. Thus, the energy and nutrient requirements during this time are increased. To prevent the intake of high-fat and high-sugar food items due to the increased demand for energy during this period youth should be provided with three meals and two snacks of balanced meals.
Picture of youth eating in the family
Though family dietary habits make the foundation for adolescent eating habits, adolescence is also an age when the individual is prone to influence from peers. Food is selected to be more practical and adjusted to new activities. The age-related increased curiosity exposes youth to new food habits that can either be good or bad.
Picture of youth in Sawa
Considering that the youth are the foundation for health for the next generation nutrition information must be provided at schools, in Sawa, and other institutions when youth activity take place.
Eating plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, a variety of whole grains, beans and peas, meat and meat products, poultry, milk and milk products and oil seeds should be included in the adolescent diet. Considering the fast body growth at this age emphasis should be given to to intake of protein-rich foods.
Youths should keep dehydrated by drinking plenty of water. Sugar drinks and alcohol should be avoided. Smoking is a harmful habit that is associated with up to 25% cancer risk, smoking should be strongly prohibited.