The Eating Behaviour of Young People Essay -- Adolescence

Adolescence is a stage in life that has many biological, cognitive and sociocultural changes. This stage in life is when individuals are most vulnerable and health behaviors play an important role in their prox. An adolescent today is bombarded with many behaviors that can affect their future such as smoking, drug use, and sex. These behaviors can carry immediate and severe consequences but there are other health behaviors such as ingest choices and corporal activity that can carry risks as well (Lytle, 2002).Lytle explains that there is data that suggests that adolescents current feeding behaviors are putting them at risk for many different diseases later in life. Some of those diseases include cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Adolescents today bring forth decreased physical activity and poor diet habits which makes nutritional issues for adolescents a very important topic that needs to be addressed (Lytle, 2002).Cardiovascular diseas e begins in childhood. A study completed by Kelley, Krummel, Gonzales, Neal and Fitch examined 279 children. There hypothesis was that children who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease based on their family history would have diets that were different than the misfortunate risk children. The childrens height, weight, and total cholesterol were measured and each child filled out a food frequency questionnaire. 23% of the children were at risk for cardiovascular disease and their cholesterol was significantly higher. However intakes of energy, fat, cholesterol and fiber were similar in both the high risk and low risk groups. The researchers concluded that all children whether high risk or low risk need to change their dietary patterns in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. Those at high risk need specific guidelines in order to lower their risk for the disease. Healthcare professionals must promote the healthy benefits of healthy eating habits to both children and their families and finally it is critical that public health research address behavior modification in children (2004).Diets high in saturated fat, total fat, atomic number 11 and low in fiber are associated not only with cardiovascular disease but also some types of cancer. Also diets low in fruits and vegetables are associated with increased risk of some types of cancer. National nutrition surveillance data ... ...zine and have their stories told to millions of readers. Keri Kulik, an exercise physiologist, who helped the Schalls with monthly strategies to meet their tendencys, followed them for the next 6 months. for each one month Keri gave the Schall family key strategies for success. Strategies started small like walking two nights a week together, watching less television and decreasing soda intake. By month 3 the family was including more sports like cycling, tennis and baseball in their routine also they have started circuit weight training together and have been imbibing m ore water. By month six the Schalls have consistently included exercise in their daily life and love it. They had one goal as a family and that was to increase physical activity, now the Schalls are interested in working on their diet. They had made a consistent elbow grease to eat a healthy breakfast every morning and include more healthy meals and snacks in their day. As Keri stated, they now see the fine-looking see and are motivated to continue their healthy lifestyle. Fit Family Fit Kids has shown how making small behavior changes in one families life can make big changes in both parents and childrens health (Fitness, 2005).