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

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

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