Extreme Eating
Are Teens Compromising Their Health?
The "I Don't Eat That" Factor
Statements such as "I don't eat animal products," or "I don't eat dairy foods" exemplify the way some teens segment their diets and sometimes eliminate entire categories of foods. If teens do not take care to include sufficient amounts of macronutrients-fat, carbohydrate and protein-food avoidance can be detrimental to health and nutritional status.
Vegetarianism is a growing movement in many age groups, and adolescents are no exception. According to Jo Ann Hattner, M.P.H., R.D., a clinical nutritionist at Stanford University Medical Center, teen vegetarians face dietary dilemmas beyond those of adult vegetarians. "The diets of adolescent vegetarians can be quite low in protein and trace minerals, particularly on a vegan diet." Therefore, those teens need to incorporate a variety of protein sources into their diets to get all the essential amino acids. She goes on to suggest that "Educating teens about the importance of a variety of protein sources is essential in order to get this vital nutrient into the diet. Soy products and a variety of canned beans and peas are quick and easy ways to boost protein intake." Ms. Hattner advises teens who are considering becoming vegetarians to make an appointment with a registered dietitian to learn how to make good nutritional choices to reduce the chances of deficiencies in calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
| Milk, that staple of childhood, is often consumed in less than recommended amounts among teens. Less milk can translate into less calcium.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture surveys, roughly 9 out of 10 girls and nearly 7 out of 10 boys, ages 12 to 19, are not getting the recommended amount of calcium. "Even though teens may have reached their full height, they are still developing about half the bone mass their bodies will need for a lifetime," said Connie Weaver, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that teens and children ages 9 to 18 consume 1,300 mg of calcium per day-the equivalent of four servings of dairy products. |
How can we help teens temper extreme eating behaviors? The answer isn't simple. Just as there are many types of people in the world, there are many ways to bring about change in people. The key, summarized Ms. Hattner, is in finding the proper motivating force for each teen. "We can motivate teens to eat right by focusing on those things that are important to them-be it athletics and performance, height and body image or beautiful hair, nails and skin," she said. "Unfortunately long-term nutritional goals-such as osteoporosis prevention-don't work with teens, but other goals do." Balance, variety and moderation are not "sexy" concepts, but learning how to achieve them can go a long way toward helping teens live longer, healthier lives.
Continue to page five: Fun and Healthy Snack Recipes
Read the entire feature:
Dieting to Excess | The "I Don't Eat That" Factor
Fun and Healthy Snack Recipes
Reprinted with permission from the International Food Information Council Foundation, 1998.
at the Parenting of Adolescents Site |
