Nutrition in Adolescence and Eating Disorders

Life Cycle Nutrition: Nutrition in Adolescence and Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders will be discussed in the lecture
• If images of people with eating disorders are triggering, use the blurred version of the lecture recording
• The content is the same, but images have been blurred
• The PDF of the slides have these images removed
• The images are displayed in the textbook (Chapter 9 - Controversy)

The Teen Years

• Teenagers are busy with school, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities
• They experience rapid body changes
• Significant societal pressures from peers, media, and parents
• Pressures to be thin, have clear skin, and get good grades can lead to risky behaviors
• Risky behaviors include alcohol and drug abuse, overuse of supplements, and disordered eating

Adolescent Growth Spurt

• Girls typically begin their growth spurt around age 10, peaking around age 12
• Boys typically begin their growth spurt between ages 12 and 13, peaking around age 14
• Girls gain more weight in body fat compared to boys

High Nutrient Requirements and Declining Diet Quality

• Nutrient needs are high during the growth spurt
• Diet quality may decline during this period
• Teens may have increased independence in food choices, leading to less time spent at home and consuming more fast food, convenience food, and sugar-sweetened drinks

Low Intake of Fruits and Vegetables, and Milk

• Teens tend to consume fewer fruits, vegetables, and milk products

Bone Growth in Adolescence

• Rapid linear bone growth occurs at the epiphyseal plate (growth plate) of long bones
• The growth plate closes near the end of puberty, limiting height growth
• Large amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are essential for bone mineralization
• Peak bone mass is achieved in young adulthood; this determines overall bone health and risk of osteoporosis later in life
• Physical activity (weight-bearing exercise) improves bone mineralization

Soft Drink and Milk Consumption

• Data shows adolescents have high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages
• Many adolescents do not meet the minimum daily recommendations for daily dairy intake

Iron Requirements for Adolescents

• Iron requirements increase in males for lean muscle mass development
• Requirements increase in females for lean mass expansion and menstruation
• Iron requirements return to pre-adolescent levels in women later in life, at menopause

Eating Disorders in Adolescents

• 85% of eating disorders begin during adolescence
• Eating disorders affect both males and females, but females are more frequently diagnosed
• Body dissatisfaction can lead to restrictive eating behaviours, misuse of supplements, etc.

Eating Disorders in Adolescents & Young Adults: Anorexia Nervosa

• Predominantly affects females (5-10% males)
• Unrealistic goal of low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight
• Distorted self-perception of body size
• Signs of malnutrition may be present

Eating Disorders in Adolescents & Young Adults: Bulimia Nervosa

• More prevalent than anorexia
• Characterized by binge eating and compensatory behaviours (vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise)
• Binges usually involve large amounts of high-calorie food, and can potentially involve multiple binges per day
• Compensatory behaviours are motivated by a fear of weight gain

Eating Disorders in Adolescents & Young Adults: Binge Eating Disorder

• Generally characterized by restrictive food intake, with occasional episodes of binge eating
• Often associated with feelings of lack of control and self-disgust; however, less likely to involve extreme behaviours like purging
• This subtype is often considered the most treatable category

Eating Disorders in Athletes

• Male athletes may have distorted body image, leading to disordered eating patterns
• Male athletes may engage in frequent weighing, excessive exercise, and/or misuse of special diets or supplements

Eating Disorders in Athletes – The Female Triad

• A combination of three interrelated conditions: disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis
• Pressure to achieve low body fat often leads to low energy, and nutrient intake in women
• Low body fat can inhibit menstruation
• Excessive weight-bearing exercise in athletes can cause bone mineral loss

This quiz covers the critical aspects of nutrition during adolescence, including the growth spurts of teenagers and the impact of societal pressures that lead to eating disorders. It addresses the associated risky behaviors and emphasizes the importance of understanding these challenges in adolescent life. Prepare to test your knowledge on these crucial topics!