Teen Nutrition

Adolescents need extra nutrients to support the adolescent growth spurt, which begins in girls at ages 10 or 11, reaches its peak at age 12 and is completed by about age 15. In boys, it begins at 12 or 13 years of age, peaks at age 14 and ends by about age 19.
In addition to other nutrients, adequate amounts of iron and calcium are particularly important as the adolescent body undergoes this intensive growth period. From ages 9 to 18 years, both males and females are encouraged to consume a calcium-rich diet (1,300 milligrams daily) in order to ensure adequate calcium deposits in the bones. This may help reduce the incidence of osteoporosis in later years. By eating at least three servings of dairy products daily, the recommended calcium intake can be achieved. For persons who don't wish to consume dairy products, a variety of other calcium sources are available such as green, leafy vegetables, calcium-fortified soy products and other calcium-fortified foods and beverages.
Teens' caloric needs vary depending on their growth rate, degree of physical maturation, body composition and activity level. Overweight is one of the most serious nutrition problems of adolescents, particularly among Native Americans, Hispanics and African-Americans.
Eating disorders also are common among teens, whose food choices are often influenced by social pressure to achieve cultural ideals of thinness, gain peer acceptance or assert independence from parental authority. Eating disorders may be classified as anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating or binge-eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified (any combination of the previous disorders mentioned). Each eating disorder is based on specific diagnostic criteria. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, one in 100 females between the ages of 12 and 18 has anorexia nervosa, a disorder causing people to severely limit their food intake. Both anorexia and bulimia (a disorder in which people binge and purge by vomiting or using laxatives) can lead to convulsions, kidney failure, irregular heartbeats, osteoporosis and dental erosion. Those suffering from compulsive overeating or binge-eating disorder are at risk for heart attack, developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, kidney disease and/ or failure, arthritis, bone deterioration and stroke.