Teen
Male Health
Nutrition Analysis
As a 16 year old male, my nutritional needs will vary from other age
groups. This diagnostic report will show my research as to the
recommended nutrition for people my age. I will also compare this
research to my average weekly diet.
Our nutrition is important to our overall health. Proper nutrition can
also prevent many medical problems, including becoming overweight,
developing weak bones, and developing diabetes. It will also ensure
that we physically grow to our full potential.
The phenomenal growth that occurs in adolescence, second only to that
in the first year of life, creates increased demands for energy and
nutrients. Total nutrient needs are higher during adolescence than any
other time in the lifecycle. Nutrition and physical growth are
integrally related; optimal nutrition is a requisite for achieving full
growth potential. Failure to consume an adequate diet at this time can
result in delayed sexual maturation and can arrest or slow linear
growth. Nutrition is also important during this time to help prevent
adult diet-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease,
cancer, and osteoporosis.
(http://www.answers.com/topic/teen-nutrition?cat=health 3/3/2008)
Each nutritional substance is placed into one of the five food groups (Appendix 1).
There are average quantities of each food group to consume;
Six to 11 servings of breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
Three to five servings of vegetables
Two to four servings of fruit
Two to three servings of dairy products
Two or three servings of meat, fish, poultry, and legumes
The normal requirements for adolescents are as follows
Carbohydrates- males require 130g/day
Calories- females require 2200 Cal./day and males 2500-3000.
Protein- females 0.8g/kg./d males 1.0g/kg./d (30% of caloric intake)
Moody teens meet or exceed this level, including vegetarians.
Fats- 30% of daily calories. Most adolescents get enough fats through
fast foods and fried foods. Teenagers should be taught to read labels
and learn about fat content of foods.
Calcium- The majority of bone mass deposition occurs during
adolescence. Daily requirement 1500 mg./day. Good sources include
calcium enriched orange juice, green leafy vegetables, sardines,
soymilk, and tofu. Antacid tablets contain 300 mg of calcium and are
good dietary supplements.
Iron- 11mg/day. Requirements are high during adolescence because of
growth. Good sources include meats, green vegetable, cereals fortified
with iron, fish, poultry, eggs, and nuts.
This compared to my average daily intake:
Carbohydrates- 387.375g/day
Calories- 3182.625 cal/day
Protein- 108g/day
Fats- 138.5g/day
Calcium- 1226.75 mg/day.
Iron- 18.25mg/day.
I appear to be having an excess of Iron. However, this contradicts my
diagnosed anaemia. This leads me to believe that I may be over
exercising and I may be required to cut down in my physical activity to
help my Iron levels increase. Also, my protein intake is high as well.
This may be why my exercise is showing good results. That may be why I
continue to exercise more to gain better results thus leading to my
anaemia.
There are many social issues that influence nutrition. The following
are stated by Healthway’s website: “Social determinants of
health that most affect nutrition include: Income and the affordability
of healthy food options; social norms and peer pressure relating to
‘junk’ food, particularly those stimulated by food
advertising and promotion; transport for delivery of healthy foods to
rural and remote areas; education and literacy to interpret food
labels; increased reliance on foods away from home; convenience; and
less time to prepare
meals.”(http://www.healthway.wa.gov.au/-2008, 11/03/2008)
For me the main social factor contributing to my nutrition would be
going out and the temptation of takeaway meals. Also, the availability
of food with my grandfather not being able to buy groceries until the
end of the week and the short distance between fast food stores and my
home causes a difference in my nutrition.
The Ottawa Charter consists of five parts; Build Healthy Public Policy,
Create Supportive Environments, Strengthen Community Action, Develop
Personal Skills and Reorient Health Services.
The only piece of the Ottawa Charter that I feel is relevant to my
nutrition is Develop Personal Skills. No matter how my nutritional
needs may change and what food is available to me, keeping up with a
healthy diet will all come down to how I can train myself to stay
healthy. This will include teaching myself regular healthy practices
and sticking with them.
Also learning how to stay healthy not only with nutrition but with
physical and mental exercise will hopefully lead to an overall better
self being.
With regards to the recommended daily intake and my nutritional
behaviour, I feel that I lead a healthy life but some improvements may
be made i.e. lack of motivation, lack of knowledge until recently etc.
and create a discussion
