)
Therefore, in the light of the above views, a central part of the solution to the problems of poor nutrition in adolescence is an awareness of the problems. This is a first step in the development of any effective program.
In other words, the youth should be made more self-aware of poor nutritional habits and the importance of adequate nutritional intake and the way that these factors are often promoted through the media. This in turn would necessitate the involvement and cooperation of various other parties, including schools, parents and related organizations in the educational arena and food industry.
One of central objects of this type of program is to improve general awareness of nutritional and health issues. There could, for example, be more emphasis health education classes in schools, where nutrition is discussed in relation to the contemporary world. The cardinal aspect of this program would be a focus on a holistic approach to the issue of food and nutrition.
Central to the success of the program would be the involvement of youth at all levels of the process. This cannot be perceived as a program that excludes the input of the adolescent. As one study on youth involvement states; "Adolescents need to be and have the right to be a part of adolescent nutrition programming, both in design, development, implementation and evaluation. Youth should not just be research subjects or target populations of interventions." (Cheetham N. And Klindera K.)
Another important dimension of the program would be community involvement. This would include a process that integrates with the social, economic and cultural environment, which would include family, school, peers as well as food manufacturers and distributors. This is in essence is a multi-sectoral approach to the problem and would, for example, deal with nutrition related issues such as sexuality and reproduction, education and life skills. (Cheetham N. And Klindera K.)
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, the importance of correct and balanced nutrition during adolescence is emphasized by various medical ands healthcare experts. The fact that many modern teenagers have developed poor nutritional habits due to advertising, "junk foods," and low quality bulk foods, is a matter of concern. One of the central issues related to this is the obesity problem in the United States.
In order to deal with this problem a multi-faceted and integrated program of nutrition awareness needs to be fostered in our society. The importance of the active participation of the youth in an awareness program of his nature has been emphasized by the World Health Organization. (Nutrition in adolescence - Issues and Challenges for the Health Sector.) There has also been an emphasis on "...analysing present programmes to identify actions to fill the gaps between problems and existing responses." (Nutrition in adolescence - Issues and Challenges for the Health Sector.) program that includes the youth in an active way and also integrates other elements form the community and society would have a chance of success in reducing the health issues related to poor nutrition.
Works Cited
Cheetham N. And Klindera K. The Nutritional Needs and Status of Adolescents.
26 August, 2006. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:O-tp3iNhDF0J:www.fantaproject.org/downloads/pdfs/Adolescents.pdf+nutritional+and+health+concerns+adolescence&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9
Hearne. S. et al. (2004) F. As in Fat: How obesity policies are failing in America.
Retrieved 12, February 2006 from Trust for America's health. 25 August, 2006. http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:pbbUEelBegwJ:healthyamericans
Nutrition. 25 August, 2006. http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/NUTRITION/adolescent.htm
Nutrition in adolescence - Issues and Challenges for the Health Sector. August http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/ADH/ISBN_92_4_159366_0.pdf
Rees J.M. Eating Disorders during Adolescence: Nutritional Problems and Interventions. 25, August 2006. http://faculty.washington.edu/jrees/ch1edado.html
WHO discussion papers on adolescence. 25 August, 2006. http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/publications/ADH/Discussion_papers.htm
Sample Source(s) Used
Works Cited
Cheetham N. And Klindera K. The Nutritional Needs and Status of Adolescents.
26 August, 2006. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:O-tp3iNhDF0J:www.fantaproject.org/downloads/pdfs/Adolescents.pdf+nutritional+and+health+concerns+adolescence&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9
Hearne. S. et al. (2004) F. As in Fat: How obesity policies are failing in America.
Retrieved 12, February 2006 from Trust for America's health. 25 August, 2006. http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:pbbUEelBegwJ:healthyamericans
Related Documents
Study Document
Nutrition, Obesity, and Physical Activity
More specifically, when certain species (including homo Sapiens) consume more calories than necessary for immediate energy requirements, their digestive systems efficiently converts those excess calories into storable forms of reserve energy that are capable of being called upon in times of need (Larson-Duyff, 2005; Rinzler, 2004). In humans, excess caloric consumption increases the amount of sugars dissolved in the blood (Larson-Duyff, 2005; Rinzler, 2004). This triggers a natural insulin response
Study Document
Health Importance of Health and Exercise, and
Health [...] importance of health and exercise, and where people can find assistance in California. Exercise is an important deterrent to many diseases, including obesity, a plague on the nation. Getting Americans to exercise may be difficult, but the benefits of exercise are clear. People who exercise tend to live longer, have better overall health, and feel better about themselves. In California, many programs are available that will help
Study Document
Contrast Between Healthcare Systems in Developed and Developing Countries Focus on India...
Health Care Systems India Malnutrition, Mortality, Malaria: Health Care in India Perri Klass in her article "India" describes a situation when she is unable to diagnose a case of tuberculosis in a South Asian child. As a pediatrician, her repertoire of knowledge of first world diseases is unable to assist her amongst the medical travails of the children of India. Klass describes scenarios where she is unable to comprehend the magnitude of
Study Document
Adolescent Health Factors Affecting Adolescent
This includes factors such as peer pressure, family life and the norms and values of society that often are determining factors in the development of the individual., The above discussion leads to a number of central conclusions. The first is that there are many interrelated variables that can lead to certain negative patterns of behavior. What is of particular concern is that negative factors such as alcohol and other forms
Study Document
Nutrition Is the Study of
Moreover, alcohol can lead to many social and psychological problems, including family conflict, arrests, job instability, injuries related to violence or accidents, and psychological symptoms related to depression and anxiety (Negative pp). These problems can become a great emotional burden to individuals and families, as well as a great financial expense to health care systems and society (Negative pp). Approximately fourteen million Americans, or one in every thirteen adults, either
Study Document
Health Care System Evolution, Organizational
(Worcestershire Diabetes: a New model of care Stakeholder event, 2007) The continuum of care for the diabetic patient is shown in the following illustration labeled Figure 1. Diabetes: Continuum of Care Source: Worcestershire Diabetes: a New model of care Stakeholder event (2007) The continuum of care for diabetes begins at the moment that the individual is found to have diabetes and continues across the individual's health care providers and across the varying stages