1. Nutrition

2. Nutritional Needs Iron is important
From toddlers to teenagers
Special dietary needs for teenagers:
This is a time of growth spurts
20% of adult height
50% of adult weight

3. Iron Deficiency & Anemia
What is anemia?
Symptoms:
Fatigue / weakness
Pale skin
Rapid heartbeat
Irritability
Decreased appetite
Dizziness / Lightheadedness

4. Preventing Anemia Foods rich in iron May need a supplement
Red meat, tuna, salmon, eggs, enriched grains, leafy green vegetables, fortified foods
May need a supplement
Recommended amounts:
7-10 mg/day for children 1-12 years old
11 mg/day for adolescent boys; 15 mg/day for girls

5. Teenagers and Calcium Teenagers need calcium to build strong bones
Calcium is also important for muscle contractions
The osteoporosis connection…
Why talk about this in a child & adolescent health class??

6. Osteoporosis
1 of every 2 American women will get osteoporosis after the age of 65.
Why worry about teenagers?
Less than half of teenagers get enough calcium in their diet.
For girls – about 15% get enough calcium.
The teenage years are the time to build strong bones

8. Soda consumption & Osteoporosis
Girls who drank soft drinks: 3x more likely to have a bone fracture
Physically active girls: 5x more likely to have a bone fracture
Why?
Phosphoric acid
Less calcium consumption
Source: Harvard School of Public Health

9. Who is at risk? Those who do not get enough calcium Females
Those with high soft drink consumption
Those who do not exercise
Caucasians and Asians
Family history
Smoking
Alcohol

10. Prevention Eating calcium-rich foods Weight-bearing exercises
Dairy products, calcium-fortified orange juice, leafy green vegetables, canned salmon or tuna
May need a calcium supplement
Weight-bearing exercises
Limit soft drink consumption
Don’t smoke
Notice anything about this list?

11. “Selling” it to teenagers
Make it beneficial in the short term
May need to relate it to body image
“Calcium will help you grow taller”
“Do you know those older people that are stooped over?”
Low-fat, non-fat alternatives for those worried about gaining weight.

12. Eating Disorders

13. Teenagers & Eating Disorders
Girls 15 – 19 years old:
Account for 40% of new anorexia cases every year.
There has been a rise in anorexia among this age group every decade since 1930!
Bulimia:
The incidences of bulimia have tripled among year-olds from 1988 to 1993
Most of those with anorexia or bulimia do NOT receive adequate care.

14. Teenagers & Dieting
Over ½ half of teenage girls and 1/3 of teen boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors.
(Neumark-Sztainer, 2005)
These behaviors include:
Skipping meals
Fasting
Smoking cigarettes to control weight
Vomiting
Taking laxatives

15. Eating Disorders & Media
Tweens & Teens are more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies after watching media.
Movies & Television shows often have characters comment on appearance/weight.
Advertisements often use an appeal to beauty to sell the product.
National Institute on Media and the Family

16. Anorexia Nervosa Self-starvation Health consequences
Essential nutrients are denied (no or little food) so the body slows down all normal processes to conserve energy.
Health consequences
Low blood pressure / heart rate
Muscle loss / weakness
Dehydration
Fainting / fatigue
Dry hair and skin

17. 90-95% are female so, 5-10% are male. Similar characteristics:
Preoccupied with weight
Males may have preoccupation with body building, weight lifting or toning.
Compulsive exercise
Frequently weighing oneself
Distorted body image

19. Bulimia Nervosa Typically a binge – purge method 80% are female
Binge – secret periods of quickly eating high- calorie dense foods.
Purge – more than the typical vomiting.
80% are female
Health consequences:
Irregular heartbeat = heart failure = death.
Tooth decay
Ulcers

20. Warning Signs Anorexia Bulimia Becomes very thin
Obsesses over eating, food, weight
Counts portions, calories carefully
Only eats certain foods
Feels fat
Withdraws from social activities
May be depressed, fatigued or cold all the time
Bulimia
Fears weight gain
Intensely unhappy with body size, shape or weight
Goes to the bathroom frequently or immediately after meals
Regularly buys laxatives
Spends most of free time working out
Withdraws from social activities

21. Prevention Examine your own body image Avoid power struggles over food
Create a healthy lifestyle for the family

22. More information
“Dying to be thin”
Nova program