Factors Affecting Food Selection
Food Technology: Factors Affecting an Adolescent’s Food Choice
By: William Gardiner
Year 11
Adolescence:
What is it?
Adolescence is the time of an individual’s life, in which the body changes drastically. It is a time of physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional and social development. This occurs during the ages of 13-19 and even to the age of 21. During this time frame, children begin developing their adult characteristics, and new roles in life. In this time of radical change to the body, it is important to maintain a healthy diet to avoid various serious eating disorders, such as: Obesity, coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes and many more. As the body begins to grow larger, more energy is required to maintain it. Therefore an increase in food consumption is key sign that development is taking place.
So as previously stated, a healthy diet is required to aid adolescence and promote growth. But what is eating healthy? It is recommended that an individual going through the adolescent changes in the body consumes three meals a day, with snacks throughout. It is recommended that there is an increase in fibre within the diet, and a decrease in salts. Decreases in high sugar drinks are also recommended, and water should be consumed more regularly. An adolescent should also avoid red meats and begin eating more white meats and fish, as well as choosing more lean cuts. Eating carbohydrates is also a key part in promoting the development of a teenager. All of these recommendations should also be followed by a regular exercise routine to maintain health, and continue promoting development.
Although there are guides put in place to ensure that the basic dietary requirements of an adolescent there are many factors that affect the choices of the individual, and the basic needs of the body can sometimes be unmet. These factors can fall under 4 groups, social affecting the choices most heavily. Peer pressure falls under this group and
By: William Gardiner
Year 11
Adolescence:
What is it?
Adolescence is the time of an individual’s life, in which the body changes drastically. It is a time of physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional and social development. This occurs during the ages of 13-19 and even to the age of 21. During this time frame, children begin developing their adult characteristics, and new roles in life. In this time of radical change to the body, it is important to maintain a healthy diet to avoid various serious eating disorders, such as: Obesity, coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes and many more. As the body begins to grow larger, more energy is required to maintain it. Therefore an increase in food consumption is key sign that development is taking place.
So as previously stated, a healthy diet is required to aid adolescence and promote growth. But what is eating healthy? It is recommended that an individual going through the adolescent changes in the body consumes three meals a day, with snacks throughout. It is recommended that there is an increase in fibre within the diet, and a decrease in salts. Decreases in high sugar drinks are also recommended, and water should be consumed more regularly. An adolescent should also avoid red meats and begin eating more white meats and fish, as well as choosing more lean cuts. Eating carbohydrates is also a key part in promoting the development of a teenager. All of these recommendations should also be followed by a regular exercise routine to maintain health, and continue promoting development.
Although there are guides put in place to ensure that the basic dietary requirements of an adolescent there are many factors that affect the choices of the individual, and the basic needs of the body can sometimes be unmet. These factors can fall under 4 groups, social affecting the choices most heavily. Peer pressure falls under this group and