LIFECYCLE NUTRITION

Lifecycle Nutrition

Lifecycle Nutrition

Lifecycle

Adolescence is a time of life lived between 12 and 18 years and where it takes one of the largest growth rates experiences. At this stage there is greater nutritional requirements and food.

Lifecycle Nutritional Challenges for Adolescence

The main features observed are the physical and emotional changes that allow the transition from childhood to adulthood period. The daily diet should provide adequate and sufficient portions of different types of foods that provide all the required energy, different types of nutrients and to allow maximum growth (Brown, 2008). Perhaps most important at this age is to prevent an imbalance in energy intake can lead to excess or deficit of weight and promote the development of either overweight or wasting respectively.

As in adolescence caloric and nutritional requirements are higher than in childhood or adulthood, healthy food choices are recommended, i.e., having a high density of nutrients (which are good sources of protein, vitamins, minerals) and which are also low in fat and sugars (Edelstein & Sharlin, 2009). Until some time ago when there was a normal nutritional status prior to adolescence and practiced more sports and outdoor activities as the food was healthy, was frequently observed that adolescents ate significantly and even slimming (Bigler-Doughten & Jenkins, 2007). Many of our teenagers begin this period of life, overweight, have unhealthy eating habits and sedentary are making it easier weight gain.

Nutritional Diet for Adolescence

Proteins

Protein needs depend on many factors, but the key would be the age and sex. The high protein requirements are justified by the high growth of tissues (muscle, bone), which take place at this stage (Anderson, 2001). Of the total energy required is established that between 12-14% should come from protein, which is 44-59 g. per day. 

Fats and carbohydrates

With regard to fats and carbohydrates, the recommended daily amount is the same as that ...