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Teens and Poor Nutrition

Despite their parents’ best efforts, some teens fall short when it comes to getting their nutritional needs met. Reasons for nutritional deficiencies may be as simple as poverty or other problems at home, but teenagers from all socioeconomic backgrounds are susceptible to poor nutrition. Often the reasons are emotional or psychological in nature. For example:

• Young men and women concerned with body image may damage their bodies by over-exercising and developing eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.
• Over-scheduled teenagers who don’t want to slow down to eat may choose fast food, sugary or caffeinated soft drinks, or other empty calories, leading to stomachaches and fatigue.
• Stressed-out teens may use food to cope with fear or pain.

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