Question

A 13-year-old adolescent wants to initiate a vegetarian diet.

a) Discuss the emotional, cognitive, and social development levels at this age and how they would impact her understanding of nutrition and health messages.

b) Identify important adults that would help this teen develop her personal identity and feelings of self-worth.

c) Select one food group and develop a behavioral-specific nutrition message for this teenager to follow.

Answer 1

a) Emotional, social, and cognitive development directly affects the nutritional status of adolescents. The significant changes in their physical growth needs for increased energy and nutritional needs. The autonomy for the food choices, cognitive inabilities, and the financial independence make them at risk of nutritional status. A 13-year old needs an average weight gain of 9kg per year due to puberty.

Early adolescents have their own personal identity, self-esteem, and ethical values. The dramatic changes in the body image affect psychologically which leads to eating disorders. The personal choices, peer influences also change the eating behavior of the adolescents. The critical thinking skills, stress, and emotions have great influence on the eating habits of adolescents.

b)

• The adolescent has a tremendous change in the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive growth and development, the adults should help the adolescent to develop the problem-solving skill to overcome the barrier of eating pattern.
• Adults should give health messages and nutritional counseling to meet the requirements of adolescents.
• Adults should support the adolescence economically and emotionally to feel self-worth.
• Adults should speak individually to every adolescent to make more sense of their personal identity rather than on peer group.

C) one of the food group very essential for the adolescent has Reduced fat and dairy products.

Food such as Milk, yogurt, cheese, or other alternatives dairy products are rich in calcium and protein. It is necessary for the adolescents because at this age they need more calcium for bone strength and bone mass. Advised them to take dairy -free foods such as tofu, broccoli, soy milk, and bread.

Behavior-specific Nutrition messages:

• Be active and increase physical activity.
• Eat more grains with limited sugar.
• Always include fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Avoid junk foods.