Eating Habits in Adolescents

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Introduction: The Research plan is about reviewing literature on eating habits in adolescents and how individuals and environmental factors influence the eating behaviour. Research also emphasises on importance of various meals in a day and inadequate nutrition and their impact. Specific health research questions will be discussed based on literature review and various variables – dependent and independent will be identified from those questions. The reader has also emphasised on the importance of research questions and how these questions can enhance knowledge about improving eating habits and taking control measures about health issues.

Literature review: Adolescence is the transition between childhood and adulthood. The beginning of adolescence is marked by puberty, body growth, hormonal changes and brain development. These changes in body lead to increase in nutritional requirements and hence increase the food intake. If the food choices of adolescents are not consistent, various health problems arise (Berk, 2010). Nutrition needs during adolescence increases as compared to any other phase in life and fail to consume adequate diet during this life phase could affect growth and delay sexual maturation. According to a survey conducted by Economic Research Services, America leads the chart representing most population consuming poor diet which is high in calories and low in fruits and vegetables leading to chronic diseases. Dietary Fiber consumption is low where as snack food is popular and food intake as compared to body workout is high. According to a survey conducted by Economic Research Services eating away from home has been rising over two decades in America. An average American adolescent not even consume half of the requ...

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...of family meals and breakfast. The reader has also taken into consideration social, physical and environmental factors affecting the eating behaviour in adolescents.

Works Cited

Affenito, S.G. (2007). Breakfast: A Missed Opportunity. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(4), 565-569.

Berk, L.E. (2010). Development through the Lifespan. Boston: Pearson.

Hunter, B.T. (2000). Consumers Research Magazine: America’s eating habits, 83(2), 10-16.

Story, M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & French, S. (2002). Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviours. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(3), 40-50.

Videon, M.T., & Manning, C.K. (2003). Influences on Adolescent eating Patterns: The Importance of Family Meals. Journal of Adolescent Health, 32, 365-373.

Wolf. M. (1993, November). Parents: Childhood Obesity, 68(11), 90-94.

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