Teens

Question 1

Physical Growth

Answer 1

As a teen, your body is changing quickly
- Height and weight increase.
-Muscle mass grows, and your body’s fat/muscle composition changes

Question 2

Energy Needs and Growth

Answer 2

As you grow, your energy needs increase.
You need more calories for:
-Growth Spurts

Calories needed depend:
- Age, gender, physical activity, and sexual maturity.

Question 3

Iron Needs for Teens

Answer 3

Why Iron is Important:

Males:
More muscle mass = need more iron.

Females:
Menstruation causes iron loss, need more iron

Iron Deficiency:
-Feeling irritable, tired, or anemic.
-Can affect school performance.

Question 4

Calcium Needs for Teens

Answer 4

Why Calcium is Important:

Builds strong bones and reduces risk of osteoporosis (weak bones) later in life.
More important for girls because they have a (higher osteoporosis risk).

Calcium and School:
- Low calcium affects focus, memory, and
energy.

Question 5

Making Your Own Food Choices

Answer 5

As a teen, you have more control over what you eat.

Do you cook? Or does someone else cook for you?

Question 6

Factors That Affect Food Choices

Answer 6

There are different things that influence your food choices:

Familial/Cultural/Religious:
-Family food rules (e.g., halal, kosher) might change as you grow up.
Social:

Friends influence what, where, and how much you eat. You may eat something just because friends are eating it.
Economic:

If food is expensive, teens might eat less healthy (less fruits, veggies, and fiber). and pick junk

Question 7

Importance of Breakfast

Answer 7

Why Breakfast:

Helps you stay alert, gives you energy, and improves memory.

Best Breakfast:
-Oatmeal is better than sugary cereal.
Oatmeal has protein and fiber, gives long-lasting energy.
Cereal gives quick energy but causes a sugar crash.

Question 8

Psychosocial Changes

Answer 8

• More body image awareness.
• Peer influence increases
  (friends’ opinions matter more).

-Impulsive behavior
act on feelings, not always thinking through