Diet has always been a major factor in determining a person’s body weight. Teenage is a transitory phase between adulthood and childhood. So, adolescents are advised to follow a balanced diet to lead a health life in future.
Teenagers have always cherished the slender looks because most of the successful people in the visual media happen to have slender body structure. When we adore someone we try to imitate them in terms of delivering dialogues and dressing style.
The short cut to maintain a slender look is by starving. So teenagers either eat too little or skip meals to maintain lean looks. But diet during our childhood and adolescent phase actually prepares us for our adulthood in future. Vitamins, Calcium, Iron, Proteins, Fat, and Carbohydrates etc. if not consumed in right quantity may affect menstrual and reproductive system in women and sperm quality and erectile function in men.
Most of the nutrients come from food so right intake of food is compulsory. Right diet will show in increased body weight. To maintain body weight to an optimum one should also exercise. But long hours of schooling and assignments leave little scope for exercise. So teenagers resort to crash diet or eating too little to look lean.
The fact that if one is lean is presentable and the fat ones are there to court laughter are unwittingly supported by media. The standard thereby set is to look good at the cost of one’s health. Looking slim boosts confidence while a plump person always feels the pinch of not being a bit less fat.
Teenage being a phase where the young learn by imitating and not by rationalizing, they are likely to bear the brunt most. This is the age when seeing is believing.
It is very difficult to convince teenagers about the importance of a balanced diet. However we can encourage teenagers to eat well and work hard. Parents too need to work hard in this matter. They have to give some more time to make meals enjoyable for their children. Afterall health is wealth.
Via: REUTERS