Stop: Adolescent Feeding (EN)
Adolescence is the stage that includes the transition from childhood to adult life, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is the period between 10 and 19 years. It is a complex stage in which important changes occur, both physically and psycho-emotionally, which can affect the nutritional well-being of the adolescent.
In this period, adequate supplies must be ensured and the necessary strategies adopted to correct inappropriate eating behaviors that frequently occur at this age.
The body composition of the male changes due to an increase in the musculature and in the female due to increased fat, which means that the energy and nutrient requirements are not only very high, but also different in both sexes.
Some of the characteristics of its diet are the following:
They eat fast and often outside the home, in fast food establishments.
They buy and prepare food under the influence of advertising and their peers. They eat a large amount of food that is not nourishing (soft drinks, sweets, among others).
They skip meals, especially breakfast.
They ingest a large amount of calories between meals, being able to acquire overeating behaviors, with the possible development of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Others, especially women, reduce their food intake to stay slim.
They go on fad diets over and over again to lose weight or build muscle.
The use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in this group constitutes a serious health problem, and studies indicate that due to their abuse they end up consuming smaller amounts of nutrients, in addition to these practices the requirements of some of them increase, such as: vitamin C, B1 , B6, A, calcium, zinc and folate.
Adequate energy and micronutrient inputs such as iron, calcium and zinc are required at this stage. Caloric and protein intakes vary according to physical activity, age, sex and health status. You should emphasize the consumption of foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals, to complement the high-calorie and high-protein foods that you usually eat.
An intake of milk and/or derivatives of between 3/4 and 1 liter per day is recommended, which would provide most of the calcium to ensure adequate muscle and bone development.
In athletes, ensure adequate intake of carbohydrates and fluids, avoid excess protein and the use of so-called energy drinks.
Adolescence is a good time to acquire healthy eating and exercise habits, which can contribute to physical and psychological well-being during this period and to reduce the probability of developing chronic diseases related to malnutrition in adulthood. Promoting healthy lifestyles is also essential to stop the rapid progression of the obesity epidemic
