(MTYN) Meeting the Teenage and Young Adult Nutritional Needs Lesson

Meeting the Teenage and Young Adult Nutritional Needs Lesson

Introduction

Adolescent Image Teen 1: Yikes! We need to eat more healthy foods! Teen 2: You're right--I need an apple!Bigger muscles, acne, body hair, and more are all changes that come along with adolescence. These changes are related directly to the nutritional requirements of these young adults. Proper nutrition can fuel these positive changes. From infancy to childhood and adolescence, a human's dietary needs are always changing. Many young adults become active in sports and require greater calories and long-lasting protein to build muscle. Teen athletes need a balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein in their diets. They also need to stay hydrated by drinking water before, during and after exercise. Additional electrolytes may be needed. Teens need to investigate and research any supplements that they consume and try to keep their diets as natural and unprocessed as possible. Due to an increase in hormones, many teens start gaining weight which may lead them to fad dieting or even more extreme measures. Fad diets do not work and should not be considered. Bulimia, Anorexia and overeating are types of eating disorders that can develop during this time of weight concern. Teens need to understand the serious nature of eating disorders and understand that these diseases can kill. A hard look at the daily diet is very important at this stage. It can set the tone for success and lead to a healthy adult life.

 

Essential Questions

  • What are some common changes that adolescents experience with their bodies?
  • What are some negative diet changes during adolescence?
  • Why do teens consider using supplements for physical activity?
  • What are the causes of obesity?
  • What are some negatives of fad diets?                                              
  • What are the common eating disorders and specific risks to this age group?

 

Key Terms

  1. Hormones  - the body's chemical messengers
  2. Athlete - an individual who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise
  3. Carbohydrate - an essential nutrient and energy source for humans and animals
  4. Protein - an essential nutrient that helps to repair and build muscle
  5. Fat - an essential nutrient that helps provide energy and insulation for the body and organs
  6. Recovery - the period after exercise in which the body refuels and heals so that it is prepared for exercise the next day
  7. Hydration - the process of taking in water and other fluids to fuel the body for a workout
  8. Fad Diet - a trendy diet that promises quick weight loss and focuses on certain types of food
  9. Eating Disorder - an irregular eating pattern that can be dangerous for the body
  10. Anorexia Nervosa - an eating disorder in which an individual starves oneself to be thin
  11. Bulimia Nervosa - an eating disorder in which an individual binges and purges to lose weight

 

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