Young people consume particular foods and diets for a variety of reasons, often completely unrelated to their nutritional content. These can include:limming or weight control (whether justified or not); peer group pressure to consume certain foods or brands; the development of personal ideology, such as the use of vegetarian diets; following a specific diet to enhance sporting prowess; or even convenience. Energy and nutrient intakes are influenced by specialized eating patterns, thus it is important to consider life-style choices when interpreting dietary survey data. Breakfast Consumption Breakfast is identified in many studies as a nutrientdense, low-fat meal, yet is often omitted by adolescents.
Around 10% of younger children miss breakfast, rising to 20% as adulthood is approached. Boys omit breakfast less than girls and favor cereals rather than bread or a cooked breakfast. Data on breakfast habits have revealed higher intakes of sugars, fiber, and micronutrients, such as folate, niacin, iron, calcium and zinc, amongst high breakfast cereal consumers. Fat intakes, as a proportion of energy, are inversely related to breakfast cereal intake, probably due to the higher carbohydrate intakes of breakfast consumers. Previous surveys of adolescents have found an inverse relationship between breakfast cereal consumption and body mass index.
Breakfast Consumption Breakfast is identified in many studies as a nutrientdense, low-fat meal, yet is often omitted by adolescents. Around 10% of younger children miss breakfast, rising to 20% as adulthood is approached. Boys omit breakfast less than girls and favor cereals rather than bread or a cooked breakfast. Data on breakfast habits have revealed higher intakes of sugars, fiber, and micronutrients, such as folate, niacin, iron, calcium and zinc, amongst high breakfast cereal consumers. Fat intakes, as a proportion of energy, are inversely related to breakfast cereal intake, probably due to the higher carbohydrate intakes of breakfast consumers. Previous surveys of adolescents have found an inverse relationship between breakfast cereal consumption and body mass index.
Smoking .
The proportion of adolescent smokers rises with age and is between 8% and 20% with an average exposure, in older children, of around 40 cigarettes per week. Since the 1980s, smoking has decreased in adolescent boys but not in girls. Smokers tend to have different dietary habits from nonsmokers and this is reflected in their nutrient intakes. Studies have found that smokers consume less dairy foods, wholemeal bread, fruit and breakfast cereals, and more coffee, alcohol and chips. Smokers’ diets tend to be lower in fiber, vitamin B1, and vitamin C compared with nonsmokers. In a study of 18 year olds, male smokers had higher percentage energy from fat and lower intakes of sugars and iron.
