Community Nutrition Update: Adolescents Betty Izumi OSU Extension, Clackamas County

Outline Characteristics of adolescents Influences on eating behavior Nutritional issues Effective teaching strategies Reaching the “Why” generation

Characteristics of Adolescents Adolescence is a period of change –biological, social, cognitive  risk taking behavior –smoking, alcohol, drugs, sex Physical inactivity and poor nutrition

Influences on Eating Individual SocialPhysical Media

Individual Psychosocial –taste counts Biological –increased requirements Lifestyle –time, convenience, cost Concern for personal health and nutrition are NOT major influences on food choices.

Social Family –influences preferences –socioeconomic status, 19% children live in poverty Food availability –teens will eat fruits and vegetables when available Friends –associated with junk food

Physical Environment Access and availability –schools –vending machines –fast-food outlets –convenience stores –work place One-third of eating occasions take place outside the home where teens have easy access to junk foods.

Advertising and Mass Media Adolescents as consumers –disposable income –influence parental spending –future consumer –growing population Mass Media –brand identity –defining beautiful “People always tell us we are fine the way we are, but then they put stick figure women like Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer in advertisements. What do people expect from us?” - Oregon student, 1999 YRBS “People always tell us we are fine the way we are, but then they put stick figure women like Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer in advertisements. What do people expect from us?” - Oregon student, 1999 YRBS

Nutritional Issues Calcium intake Overweight Disordered eating Family meals

Calcium Intake Healthy People 2010 Goal –  calcium intake so that at least 75% of year olds consume  3 servings calcium daily. Teenage girls at greatest risk – > 78% do not meet recommended intake Why are calcium intakes so low? –  consumption of soda Lactose intolerance

Overweight in Adolescents In Oregon, 16.5% teens overweight or at risk for overweight. Healthy People 2010 Goal –  overweight to  5% for adolescents Why are we concerned? – risk for overweight and obesity as an adult – discrimination, rejection,  self esteem –  participation in physical activity

Disordered Eating Weight related eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating – disordered eating Who is at risk? – young women, athletes, models, diabetics Implications for nutrition education – introduce topic and identify resources “My unhealthy behavior is being bulimic and not telling anyone. I think it would help if the school had a speaker on that issue or something.” - Oregon student, 1999 YRBS “My unhealthy behavior is being bulimic and not telling anyone. I think it would help if the school had a speaker on that issue or something.” - Oregon student, 1999 YRBS

Family Mealtime Few adolescents actually eat dinner with their families on a regular basis Nutritional value of eating family meals Implications for nutrition education – integrate “family meals” into class time Eating family dinners are associated with more healthful diets.

Effective Teaching Strategies Rewards for program attendance Peer leaders as teaching assistants Activity based learning and skits Short videos Include teens in defining program goals and objectives and identifying lesson topics or recipes

Reaching the “Why” Generation Get to know the teen culture. Give information on healthful choices in places where teens like to eat. Focus on short term benefits of good nutrition. Take the time to get to know individual teens. App