McNally 1. Kayla McNally English 521 Mr. Coffin December 12, Teen Nutrition

Transcription

1 Kayla McNally English 521 Mr. Coffin December 12, 2008 McNally 1 Teen Nutrition Abstract Nutrition is an important factor that has the potential to lead to many problems or solutions in ones life. Nutrition is the study of the daily amount of nutrient intake that is required for a healthy life. The amount - or servings as they re referred to - required will be different as it depends on several factors. Throughout this essay, topics such as the specific amount of food needed, the different eating disorders, and the advantages to eating healthy will be discussed. These will lead to the fact that a healthy eating lifestyle is more beneficial than an unhealthy lifestyle. Outline I. Introduction Teen Nutrition II. III. IV. Quantities A. Servings 1. Female Teen 2. Male Teen B. Suggestions 1. Water Intake C. Groups 1. Vegetables and Fruit 2. Grain Products 3. Milk and Alternatives 4. Meat and Alternatives Disorders A. Dieting Statistics B. Eating Disorders 1. Anorexia Nervosa 2. Bulimia Nervosa 3. Binge-eating Disorder C. Finding Symptoms Advantages A. Improvements 1. Physically 2. Mentally B. Preventions 1. Illnesses C. Provisions 1. Healthy Food 2. Unhealthy Food V. Conclusion

2 McNally 2 Introduction Nutrition is the study that relates to the nourishment needed on a daily basis for repairs and growth, and is usually mentioned in relation to humans. ( The use of a balanced diet may be beneficial when trying to achieve personal ambitions. The essential amount of nutrient will vary based on several factors such as a person s age, weight, height, and physical activity. Nutrition has explicit effects on growing teens and includes areas such as: the relationship between intake and lifestyle, the danger of eating disorders, and the advantages of eating healthy. Quantities Nutrition is revolved around the amount of food or nourishment needed, as well as the specific type of food that is necessary for a healthy life including the amount and types of food that are required for a balanced lifestyle. Throughout a person s life, there are specific quantities of food that are necessary for a healthy life, which can be calculated by a serving. For a female teenager (Age 14 18), the amount of servings required, based on Canada s Food Guide s studies, have proven to be approximately seven servings of vegetables and fruit, six servings of grain products, three to four servings of milk and alternatives, and two servings of meat and alternatives. As well, for a male teenager (Age 14 18), he should have eight servings of vegetables and fruit, seven servings of grain products, three to four servings of milk and alternatives, and three servings of meat and alternatives. Most of the population are not confused with the amount of servings required; people have difficulty knowing the value of a serving. The products in the vegetable and fruit group that would be classified as a serving would include an apple, orange, or carrot. Grain product s servings may include a slice of bread, a bowl of cereal, or a plate of rice. Milk and alternatives servings include a glass of milk, a container of yogurt, and a couple slices of cheese. Meat and alternatives servings include fish, two eggs, or a spoon of peanut butter. ( As

3 McNally 3 well as these specific food groups, a teenager must drink at least eight glasses of water a day and he/she should limit their amount of sugars, calories, fat and salt intake. Water is more essential than food because water flushes out the system from any unwanted wastes. Humans have the ability to survive without food for many days, but can only survive without water for a couple of days. ("Food for Life" 450) Disorders Even though many teenagers understand the amount and types of servings they should have, not everyone abides by this, and sometimes they can be classified as having eating disorders. Based on numerous studies, a surprising seventy percent of women and thirty five percent of men are said to be dieting all the time. Of the seventy percent of women, three to seven percent are said to have an eating disorder, and ten to twenty percent die due to their mental illness. ( A quote displaying how eating improperly can be associated with health issues is, Eating patterns are linked to the development of health problems. ( There are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and bingeeating disorder. The first, anorexia nervosa, is identified by a severe weight loss in a short period of time due to the reduction of food intake. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that occurs when a person has instances of uncontrollable eating, followed by purging. Binge eating disorder, also known as compulsive eating, is often categorized by continuous dieting, and then periods of overeating, usually in private. Symptoms of these illnesses may include a refusal to keep weight above the normal weight for a specific body type, dieting extremes with excessive exercise, feeling overweight despite major weight loss, and extreme preoccupation with body weight and shape. (

4 McNally 4 Advantages Healthy eating is fundamental to good health and is a key element in healthy human development, from the prenatal and early childhood years to later life stages. ( The benefits of healthy eating are as follows: helps with the maintenance of proper body weight, provides more energy to do the things one may love, helps a person mature to their potential, and in a healthy way, affects ones mood. When there is a balanced diet in one s life, teenagers are more apt to be in a good mood and their brain functions properly. Scientific evidence states that a healthy diet can also help avoid diseases. These diseases consist of heart diseases, some cancers, adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes, and osteoporosis. It is necessary to eat from several different food groups because each one provides something that is essential for daily life. For example, cereals, breads, and pastas (found in the grain products group) provide carbohydrates which supply energy to the body. Other foods such as meat and fish (found in the meat and alternative group) supply protein and help a person grow. Apples, oranges, and carrots (found in the Vegetables and Fruit group) all contain lots of nutrient such as carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Finally milk, cheese, and yogurt (found in the Milk and Alternatives group) provide calcium which is essential for the growth and repair of bones. Foods that are most commonly known as junk foods are filled with unnecessary amounts of nutrients. Excess amounts of fats may cause a higher risk of heart diseases. Salts cause a risk of high blood pressure which may affect your heart, eyes, and brain. Fat and sugar provide energy but, if there is not physical activity in ones life, teenagers may gain weight as they are not working off the fat. Sugar alone can cause complications with tooth decay. ( Throughout ones life there are several instances where eating healthy can be beneficial, especially in helping someone achieve their goal. An example could be the various athletes of the previous Olympics. It is guaranteed that each and every one of the competitors had to make several sacrifices. One of which would have been to watch their diet closely and ensure they had the specific food required; and also, not to eat so called junk food. This shows how nutrition can contribute to helping someone achieve their ambitions.

5 McNally 5 Conclusion In conclusion, eating healthy and abiding by the daily amount of nutrient intake has numerous advantages, but in contrast, unhealthy eating has several disadvantages including eating disorders. Nutrition alone cannot guarantee an entire life full of health, but healthy eating and the right amount of physical activity daily can prevent and save a person from common illnesses.

6 McNally 6 References Canada's Food Guide. 22 Nov Health Canada. 22 Nov 2008 < (1) "Eating Disorders." Eating Disorders. 22 Nov Canadian Mental Health Association. 22 Nov 2008 < "Food for Life."Our Wonderful World. 14th ed "Nutrition and Healthy Eating - Main Page." Food and Nutrition. Apr 9, Healthy Canada. 6 Dec 2008 < (2) "nutrition - definition of nutrition by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and a Encyclopaedia." Nutrition. 22 Nov The Free Dictionary. 22 Nov 2008 < "Teen Health - Health Topics - Healthy Eating." Healthy Eating. 01 Apr Teen Health. 22 Nov 2008 < 92>.