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Image by itselea via Flickr Unfortunately the average teenager’s diet today consists of much too much junk food, sweets and drinks loaded with sugar. Many of them are not aware of the toll this takes on their overall health.
Research is showing us that there are many millions of teens who are dangerously low on essential vitamins and nutrients needed to be healthy. This research also shows that it is more of a problem in girls than boys. The addiction we are seeing to junk food is a ticking time bomb for many health problems as these teens age.
While it was found that this age group was the largest consumers of salt, alcohol and drinks rich in sugar they are also the least likely to be eating fresh vegetables, fruits and fish. Almost half of the teenage girls had dangerously low levels of magnesium, iron and selenium.
Whole grains, nuts and shellfish are foods that are high in magnesium. This nutrient helps keep our bones strong and also promotes a healthy immune system. Iron is very important in the development of red blood cells and keeps memory and concentration sharp. It can be found in red meat, nuts, beans as well as green leafy vegetables.
Ten percent of the girls were also dangerously low in calcium which will increase the risk of developing osteoporosis latter in life. One in every six was lacking adequate levels of iodine which is essential for brain development in the fetus.
When these researchers looked at the boys in this age group they did not fair much better. They found over 10% lacking in zinc which is essential for sperm production, the proper healing of wounds and muscle recovery after workouts.
A few of reasons where given for why teenage diets are so poor. Because they are just starting to feed themselves they will often skip meals as well as experimentation with smoking which can suppress appetite. In addition many girls will be on fad diets which suggest cutting out certain food groups altogether.
While diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes affect people as they get into their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s the very early stages start decades before. For teenagers being concerned about health issues this far out may seem boring it is important to lay down the foundations of good nutrition as early as possible.
Another reason that eating healthy and getting the right mix of vitamins is important at this age is that this is a time in a persons life that rapid growth mental development.
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