By
Youth have unique needs
for food and physical activity not only to maintain good general
health, but to optimize their growth and development.
Despite high energy needs, many young Americans have become overweight and obese over the past decade. Many experts believe that in the past, children had greater amounts of designated time for physical fitness during the school day. They also had more freedom to play outside, since there were fewer threats to their safety. There was also less of a propensity to choose sedentary activities such as TV watching or computer use after school. And finally, children were presented with healthier foods and given less leeway in their food choices.
A major gripe of dietitians and physicians specializing in child nutrition is that many children have replaced milk, a beverage containing calcium, protein and other valuable nutrients; with soft drinks, which contain little more than calories and do not provide the same sense of satiety that more nutritious beverages do.
Another factor that has contributed to fatter youth is advertising for junk foods, which is widespread and many young people eat at fast food establishments for meals as well as for recreation. This will need to change, as the nation gears up for a fitter, healthier future for our next generation.
All children and teens should focus on eating as many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and healthful fats as possible. These foods offer more than calories; they offer valuable nutrients, plus the vitamins and minerals that help the body turn food into energy. They provide the calories the body needs for high levels of fitness and cognition, as well as for growth and development of bones, organs and the brain.
Despite high energy needs, many young Americans have become overweight and obese over the past decade. Many experts believe that in the past, children had greater amounts of designated time for physical fitness during the school day. They also had more freedom to play outside, since there were fewer threats to their safety. There was also less of a propensity to choose sedentary activities such as TV watching or computer use after school. And finally, children were presented with healthier foods and given less leeway in their food choices.
A major gripe of dietitians and physicians specializing in child nutrition is that many children have replaced milk, a beverage containing calcium, protein and other valuable nutrients; with soft drinks, which contain little more than calories and do not provide the same sense of satiety that more nutritious beverages do.
Another factor that has contributed to fatter youth is advertising for junk foods, which is widespread and many young people eat at fast food establishments for meals as well as for recreation. This will need to change, as the nation gears up for a fitter, healthier future for our next generation.
All children and teens should focus on eating as many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and healthful fats as possible. These foods offer more than calories; they offer valuable nutrients, plus the vitamins and minerals that help the body turn food into energy. They provide the calories the body needs for high levels of fitness and cognition, as well as for growth and development of bones, organs and the brain.
The society is in dare need of healthy youths, without whom the drive towards excellence may be a pipe dream. The aged are no longer in a position to do many things needed to drive the economy, especially those things that border on the exertion of physical strength. It is the youth that metamorphose into the adult. It therefore follows logically that the healthy youth grows into the healthy adult. The health and fitness of the youth is not something that could be wished away as the end result may not be palatable. We could end up with a society made up of unhealthy men and women who may not be in a position to contribute meaningfully toward making the society a better place.
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