Nutrition problems for teens

浙江台州仙居县文元横溪中学 江 丽

青少年现如今面临着许许多多的营养和健康问题。 常见的有哪些呢？ 我们一起到文章中寻找答案吧！

体裁文章词数 建议用时约376 7分钟说明文

难词探意

1. sluggish /΄slʌɡıʃ/adj. 缓慢的；迟缓的

2. cognitive /΄kɒɡnətıv/adj. 认知的

3. lean /liːn/adj. 脂肪少的；无脂肪的

4. spinach /΄spınıtʃ/n. 菠菜

5. hygiene /΄haıdʒiːn/n. 卫生

Nowadays many kids and teens are overweight or obese.Teens often lack proper nutrition, even if they consume plenty of calories—or too many. In addition to the obesityrelated health problems teens face, other issues can arise in teens who lack enough nutrition.

According to a review published inInternational Journal of Preventive Medicine, obese children and teens between ages 2 and 19 run a risk of developing high cholesterol（胆固醇）, high blood pressure and have a higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, shortness of breath and sleep apnea （窒息）. Most teen boys need 2,000 to 3,200 calories daily, while teen girls generally need 1,600 to 2,400 calories a day, according to the Dietary Guidelines. Overweight and obese teens should check with their doctors or dietitians about their individualized calorie needs to move toward a healthier body weight.

Teen girls have an increased risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia （贫血症）, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron-deficiency anemia can cause teens to becomesluggish, tired,weak and have slowercognitivedevelopment and decreased immune function. At the same time, teens man show a decrease in performance at school. The recommended dietary allowance for iron is 11 milligrams for teen boys and 15 milligrams for teen girls daily. Iron-rich foods for teens includeleanred meats, fish and other seafood, egg yolks,spinach, beans and vegetables. Meat proteins and vitamin C increase the body's ability to absorb iron.

The mineral calcium helps maintain strong bones during childhood and adolescence. Teens with insufficient intake of calcium run a risk of developing weak bones. TeensHealth reports that many teens consume less than the daily recommendation for calcium, which is 1,300 milligrams daily. You can meet this requirement by consuming about 3 cups of milk or other dairy foods. Calcium-rich foods include low-fat dairy foods and leafy greens.

Cavities （蛀牙）can occur in teens who don't receive proper dental care,have poor brushing habits,don't use good toothpaste and have poor dietary habits. According to Hartford Hospital, eating a highsugar diet and having vitamin or mineral deficiencies can also put teens at risk of developing cavities.Practicing good dentalhygiene, eating a well-balanced diet and limiting added sugars, especially from sodas, can help reduce a teen's risk of developing cavities.

1. What can be inferred from the second paragraph?

A. Obesity can rarely be seen in adults.

B. Obese children often lack enough nutrition.

C. Teen boys often need more calories than teen girls.

D. Teens are more likely to suffer from heart disease.

2. Which of the following may help the body absorb iron?

A. Food with high calories.

B. Meat proteins.

C. Egg white.

D. Vitamin B.

3. What's the meaning of the underlined word “insufficient” in paragraph 4?

A. Not enough. B. Not various.

C. Not frequent. D. Not common.

4. Which kind of food is rich in calcium?

A. Red meat. B. Fish.

C. Dairy food. D. Bean.