Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition

Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition 3(2+1)

Lesson 16:Nutritional requirements for Adolescence

Introduction

• The period of transition from childhood to adulthood is called adolescence with accelerated physical, biochemical and emotional development.
• The final growth spurt occurs during this period.
• The growth spurt of boys is slower than that of girls. There are many body changes due to influence of hormones.
• Most noticeable changes are increase in height and weight and development of secondary sexual characteristics. Girls usually attain menarche during this growth spurt.
• They attain their adult stature between 18-20 but bone mass continues to increase upto age of 25.