Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Pattern among Adolescent School Children (13-14 Years) and Nutritional Counseling for their Promotion

Abstract

Adolescents are at on age of transitioning from parental supervision to independent decision making and are developing food patterns that will affect their future. Adoiescence is a period of rapid growth; upto 45 percent of skeletal growth takes place and 15 to 25 percent of adult height is achieved during adolescence. Adolescents experience dramatic physical growth and development during puberty, which in turn appreciably increases their requirements for energy, protein and many vitamins and minerals. It is a timely period for the adoption and consolidation of sound dietary habits. Many habits acquired during adolescence will last a lifetime.