The bodies of teens (age 11 to age 19) are in an important stage of growth and development and they must try to avoid having irregular eating patterns. It must be noted that irregular eating patterns disrupt physical, emotional and mental well being.
When a teen eats irregularly then he or she can have poor energy levels coupled with metabolic issues and hormonal imbalances etc. It is worthy to note that food eaten during the adolescent stage plays a huge role in long term health. Not eating or irregular eating can negatively affect digestion, immunity, mood, academic performances etc. They teens could put on weight also due to irregular eating patterns.
Various reasons why teens must not have irregular eating pattern are
Hinders physical growth & development:
In the teens rapid physical changes would take place and they would need a steady supply of nutrients to support their physical changes. By irregular eating patterns, the teens could get deficiencies in proteins, calcium and iron etc impacting bone density, muscle function etc.
Energy level fluctuations:
There would be spikes and crashes in the blood sugar levels by irregular eating patterns. This would make the teenage boys and girls feel dull, sluggish etc throughout the day. Point is that stable energy is required for academic performances, concentration etc
Impairs cognitive performances:
Memory, focus and problem solving abilities would get affected by skipping meals or breakfast especially. It is true that teens who have irregular eating patterns would find it tough to focus when compared to teens with regular eating patterns.
More chances of eating disorders:
Disordered relationships with foods would be triggered due to irregular eating patterns. As a result, teens would do binge eating or extreme dieting etc. It is shocking to mention here that over time it can lead to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia etc.
Affect mood and mental health:
Mood would get destabilised due to lack of regular meals as intake of nutrients such as omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium and B vitamins etc are reduced. This could lead to anxiousness, irritation etc in the teens.
Leads to unhealthy weight gain or loss:
It is noteworthy that erratic eating patterns would lead to unhealthy weight gain or loss. By skipping meals, metabolism would slow down and it might prompt excess or over eating later on.
Weakens immune system:
It is known that zinc, vitamin C and antioxidants etc are immune boosting nutrients. Teens with irregular eating patterns or who skip meals would lack these nutrients in tem leading to poor immunity levels. They are more prone to illnesses, slow recovery and fatigue etc.
Disrupts hormonal balance:
Irregular or erratic eating patterns in teens could disrupt their hormonal balance leading to issues like acne, irregular periods and excess mood swings etc
Affects digestive health:
When teens eat irregularly, then their digestion would get affected. They could get issues like acid reflux, bloating etc. Truth is that a regular eating pattern would lead to better gut health, nutrients absorption and better bowel movements etc.
