Proper nutrition during adolescence is vital for girls' healthy development into adulthood. But studies have found that few teenage girls get enough fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, or vitamins A, E, and B. Most also get too much sodium and saturated fat.

"One study showed that about 80 percent of kids who were overweight from ages 10 to 15 will be overweight as adults, and another found that 25 percent of obese adults were overweight kids. These children are at risk for weight-related health problems in the future..."

On average, girls between the ages of 14 and 18 should consume between 2,200 and 2,400 calories a day. While cutting calories may help an overweight teen shed a few pounds, it needs to be done healthfully to ensure that proper nutrition isn't compromised. Source: Reuters

Labels: development, girls, nutrition

Are teens overly caffeinated? A new study from the Canadian Health System found that the average teen might take in over 245 milligrams of caffeine per day, nearly five times the recommended limit of 50 milligrams. Teens are drinking more "energy drinks" and "designer coffees," along with caffeinated sodas. According to a study at Johns Hopkins, one cup of coffee per day is all it takes to develop a caffeine dependency.

Nutritionists and other health experts worry about the effect of caffeine on developing bodies, especially when caffeinated drinks replace healthier ones like milk or juice. A study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that over 76 percent of children under 5 and 90 percent of children ages 6 to 8 ingest caffeine on a daily basis.

Pediatrician Janis Mendelsohn says no child under 8 years old should have caffeine. "They don't exercise as much, and they are using it as a stimulant," she said.

Labels: caffeine, development, nutrition