Nutritional Status and Sports Performance of Adolescent Female Athletes and Non Athletes

Abstract

Sports and exercise provide immense and innumerable benefits and piay especially important roles among adolescent boys and girls. Studies indicate that exercise is an effective therapy along with nutritional care and weight control in the management of hypertension, diabetes and elevated blood lipids in later life1. Adolescence is a period of immense stress, representing an important physiological phase of life characterized by rapid growth and development, both at the physical and physiological levels. Girls need greater care and attentions since dietary inadequacies are more prevalent among them. Though sports and games have gained good recognition all over the country, yet today's youth are still under the spell of television watching, internet and computer games. The vast physical, mental and psychological benefits provided by outdoor playing and sports are ignored. The fact that sports offers the best antidote to tension and stress and increases life expectancy has been either forgotten or neglected. The question of how to improve the quality of life can be overcome with the three golden concepts - diet, work and play.