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Healthy Eating in Adolescents

Healthy Eating in adolescents

Food is made up of nutrients (such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals and vitamins). Some of these nutrients contain energy (in the form of kilojoules) that help fuel the body.

Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and maturation when requirements for energy and almost all nutrients are increased. During adolescence eating habits tend to change due to a more independent lifestyle, increased socialization with peers, part-time work, more risk taking behavior, and experimentation.

Generally, adolescents tend to skip meals more often (especially breakfast), and to eat more meals outside the home. Adolescents often have a diet high in sweets, highly processed foods, fried foods and fast foods, resulting in poor nutrition.