important to many life-supporting systems, such as
hormones, transport of oxygen, and enzyme systems.
There are many nutrients the body absorbs from
food and each of the food groups supplies at least one
nutrient. For example, oat bran, which is a whole
grain, can supplyfiberand a mineral calledmagne-
sium. A good nutrition plan will ensure that a balance
of food groups, and adequate amounts of the nutrients
supplied by each group, is eaten.Purpose
Proper nutrition is essential to keeping teens
healthy and able to grow and develop properly. Eating
right also helps teens participate better in school and
athletic activities. The nutritional status and health of
children and adolescents has declined in recent years.
Government surveys have shown that at least 16% of
children and adolescents age 6 to 19 years old are
considered overweight and at least 11% of adolescents
now are classified as obese. In 2000, more than 16% of
the population under age 18 years lived in poverty,
often receiving poor nutrition as a result.
Many adolescents consume more calories than they
need, yet they don’t meet recommended daily intakes for
a number of nutrients. Of particular concern for children
and adolescents are adequate levels ofcalcium,potas-
sium, fiber, magnesium, andvitamin Efrom the diet.
Eating disorderslead to poor nutritional status and
can affect growth and development for teenagers of
both sexes. They rank as the third most common form
of chronic illness in adolescent girls, affecting as many
as 5% of teenage girls.
Studies have shown that eating habits and nutri-
tion in adolescence can affect not only adult weight,
but other health issues later in life. For instance, noteating enough calcium as a teenager can increase risk
ofosteoporosisas an older adult.
Finally, adolescent nutrition is important because
some teens have health problems that require special
diets. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, is
diagnosed in as many as 13,000 children a year, often
during their teens. It requires, controlling both diet
and lifestyle factors which can be particularly difficult
for busy teenagers. Surprisingly, increases inobesity
mean that Type 2 diabetes, which in the past has only
been diagnosed in adults, now is diagnosed with
increasing frequency in adolescents as well.DescriptionThe United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and the United States Department of Health
and Human Services revised theDietary Guidelines for
Americansin 2005. The guidelines are science-based
and outline advice for choosing a nutritious diet and
maintaining a healthy weight. Although the guidelines
are written for adults, the nutritional elements are the
same for anyone over age two years old, with key
recommendations for children and adolescents. The
2005 guidelines also address physical activity and
food safety. The USDA revised the traditional food
pyramid to make it customized for individuals.Basic food groups
The following are the basic food groups included
in the pyramid provided by the USDA:
Grains. The guidelines recommend eating at least
three ounces of whole grain bread, cereal, crackers,
rice, or pasta every day and adolescents should be
encouraged to eat whole grains often. At least one-
half of all grains should be whole grains, which canHealthy eating at fast food restaurants- Skip “value-sized” or “super-sized” meals
- Choose a grilled chicken sandwich or a plain, small burger
- Use mustard instead of mayonnaise
- Limit fried foods or remove breading from fried chicken, which can cut
half the fat - Order garden or grilled chicken salads with light or reduced-calorie
dressings - Choose water or fat-free or low-fat milk instead of sweetened soda
SOURCE: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services
(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale.)KEY TERMS
Anorexia nervosa—A serious eating disorder char-
acterized by a pathological fear of weight gain.
Bulimia nervosa—A serious eating disorder char-
acterized by compulsive overeating followed by
purging by self-induced vomiting or abuse of lax-
atives to induce diarrhea.
Osteoporosis—A condition that affects bone mass,
usually later in life, making bones brittle and easily
breakable.Adolescent nutrition