Obesity is an ongoing epidemic in all areas of the world and among adolescents is rising at alarming rates, in fact tripling over the last 20 years (Daly et al., 2016). Obesity does not discriminate as it occurs in both areas of low and high economic status and stems from adolescence through adulthood (Anabwani, 2015). This chronic disease carries with it high risks of type-two diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease and other co-morbidities into adulthood, obesity in adolescence may cause sleep related issues, poor self-esteem, body image and social withdrawal leading to mental health issues (Anawani, 2015). According to Daly et al, (2016) there are ways to combat obesity at younger ages to prevent or delay the progression of obesity, ranging from surgery to medications but ultimately looking at dietary habits and physical activity as the most promising of the three at this age.
In Anne Arundel County, MD., overweight status for children and adolescents (ages 2-19) are 15.1% of the population and the obesity rates are 17.3% of the population according to the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, 2020. Adolescents have the opportunity to be on their own more often, allowing them the independence to choose what foods and beverages they will or will not consume. Lack of nutrition education, peer influence, environment, marketing and mass media are some of the factors that will lead them to choose processed and ultra-processed foods, not realizing the importance and benefit of providing their growing bodies with nutrient dense foods that positively contribute to their developmental growth (ALjaraedah, et al. 2019). The indulgence of saturated fat and trans-fat foods, along with excess consumption of sugars, will continue to increase the obesity epidemic that runs rampant among the adolescent population world-wide and in Anne Arundel County (ALjaraedah et al. 2019). Larson et al. 2016 states that these energy dense snacks replace fruits and vegetables, depriving adolescents of the very nutrients needed for accelerated growth and development during this time in their lives. One way to combat this epidemic is to facilitate the construction of a nutrition toolbox full of sound nutrition knowledge and practices, such as increasing self-efficacy, that will allow personal choice to guide these highly influential adolescents down a path of “good” nutrition choices with confidence. These tools will be critical when in peer social situations, different environments (restaurants, grocery stores, 7-11’s) and with repeated exposure to social media and marketing influences (Brown, 2016).
For the purposes of this program design, it has been decided upon to focus on the adolescent girl population in Anne Arundel County, specifically in the Broadneck Peninsula area ten minutes outside of Annapolis, MD. This suburban area consists of mostly middle class to upper-middle class families where 90.3% are white, 3.8% are Black/African American, 2.6% are Asian or two or more races, 3.6% are of Hispanic or Latino origin and 0.1% are Native American or Alaskan American natives (United States Census Bureau, 2010).
Focusing on girls during this developmental stage is important for positive body image and cultivating a strong self-efficacy that will not only assist with proper eating habits but build confidence in many other areas during this life stage. An understanding of why good nutrition is important should be a topic of priority due to the beginning of menstruation and a growth spurt that will soon follow (Brown, 2016). Needing sufficient iron, calcium and vitamin D to support proper bone growth and development is a priority for females during this time (Brown, 2016).
Accomplishing this task may not be easy but is achievable through the dissemination of nutrition information that is according to Daly et al. 2016, “…cuing into the motivations and related personal eating behaviors of adolescents”, particularly adolescent females in this program. The social nature of many adolescent girls is ideal for meeting in groups, engaging in nutrition discussions and collaborating to create goals for themselves, their families and group or community organizations (for example the BBSC or the Broadneck Baseball/Softball Club). Facilitating nutrition best practices that stress the consumption of nutrient dense foods and how to access them given certain economic and environmental circumstances as well as cultural preferences/practices will continue to build their nutrition toolbox (Contento, 2106). Through the use of nutrition apps, social media, web-based technology resources, hands-on lessons for preparing healthy snacks and meals, food tastings along with interpreting food labels will equip this adolescent female population with the tools necessary to support critical nutrition practices, promoting healthy growth and development now and in years to come (Contento, 2016).
References
ALjaraedah, T., Takruri, H.R., & Tayyem, R.F. (2019). Dietary practices and nutrient intake among adolescents: A general review. Obesity Medicine, 16:1-6. Doi: 10.1016/j.obmed.2019.100145.
Anabwani, G. (September 1, 2015). Nutrition issues in adolescence. Nestle Nutrition Institute. Retrieved from https://www.nestlenutrition-institute.org/country/za/news/article/2015/09/01/nutrition-issues-in-adolescence
Anne Arundel County Department of Health. (2020). Overweight and obesity in children, 2013. Statistics & Reports. Retrieved from https://aahealth.org/overweight-and-obesity-in-children-april-2013/
Brown, T.E. (2016). Nutrition through the lifecycle (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning.
Contento, I.R. (2016). Nutrition Education: Linking Research, Theory, and Practice (3rd Edition). Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Daly, P., Pace, T. Berg, J., Menon, U., & Szalacha,L.A. (2016). A mindful eating intervention: A theory-guided randomized anti-obesity feasibility study with adolescent Latino females. Complementary Theories in Medicine, 28:22-28. Doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.07.006
Larson, N., Miller, J.M., Watts, A.W., Story, M.T. & Nuemark-Sztainer, D.R. (2016). Adolescent snacking behaviors are associated with dietary intake and weight status. The Journal of Nutrition, 146:1338-1355. Doi: 10.3945/jn.116.230334
United States Census Bureau. (2010). Quick facts arnold CDP maryland; anne arundel county, md. United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/arnoldcdpmaryland,annearundelcountymaryland/PST045219