Deficiency Of Vital Nutrients In Teenagers

Children are reckless little brats who never understand the need and importance of nutrition. For them their world surrounds around their friends and interests which keep them infatuated for prolonged periods of time. Nutrition is the backbone of their strength and energy with which they tend to do all crazy actions one after another. It should help in their proper growth and good health. During the teenage period they tend to grow faster than any normal human which is important for an overall development.

In this period their raging hormones grow wildly, tens are keen to defy their parents and prefer things of their choices, especially food and clothing. This can be beneficial for them only if healthy dietary foods are available in plenty at home. More than 40% of the youth population binges on calorie foods rather than on fruits, vegetables and other sources of nutrition. Obesity is one of the major problems catching up with kids and teens too. Non-vegetarian food, all cheese related items, chocolates and sweets and junk food are some of the major cholesterol intake foods. Such kind of eatables can harm the body to a great extent. Deficiency of iron and calcium are the most bothersome factors in most kids.

They do not eat any citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables (cabbage and peas to name a few), eggs or raw vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber and radishes. Teens are deficient of vitamin a, zinc, magnesium and potassium to name a few. Dried fruits, green vegetables, bread and red meat are some of the iron rich foods which should be taken in good quantities. There are other non-meat sources through which iron can be absorbed. Vitamin c is available in citrus fruits and green vegetables. The deficiency of calcium is another major issue of conce
for children and teenagers. It can affect the growth of bones among children and can cause problems in future. Osteoporosis is one of the diseases (due to the deficiency of calcium) which make the bones brittle and weak. The stages of development physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally are adversely affected by the lack of calcium.

Milk and other dairy products are the richest source of calcium. The rapid growth among adolescents brings about a large hunger of food with it, in such a time teens should be provided with all the vital nutrients of which can match up with their voracious appetite and balance their body nutrition as well. Bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals and chapattis are the richest sources of starch foods. Protein rich foods such as beans, pulses, eggs, fish and meat should also be taken in order to balance the need of proteins. The sweetened liquids and sweets should be taken in as minimum as possible. Dairy products such as milk, yoghurt and pasteurized cheese should also be taken to keep up the intake of calcium. Last but not the least to achieve overall fitness they need to exercise and burn the energy which is stored in their body. The human body is not perfect but through continuous efforts it can be maintained to the best possible level.