Are You Getting Enough?

Teenage Girls Could Be At Risk

Being a teen is a busy time of life. Sometimes being very socially active or perhaps under active, combined with big change and decisions can cause teen girls to make poor choices in their personal lives.

RECENT research suggests teenage girls are not meeting their recommended levels of exercise and nutrition.

Only 7% of girls aged 11 to 18 are eating enough fruit and vegetables - which could have a negative impact on their heart health in later life.

The diets of teen girls fall short in a number of key nutrients, which are essential for healthy growth.

Iron intake is especially low, even though teenage girls have an increased need for this important mineral.

A healthy diet and physical activity are both important for young hearts, but only 24% of girls are reported to take part in the recommended level of 60 minutes or more physical activity, seven days a week.

Regular exercise helps increase cardiovascular health by working the heart muscle.

It also prevents excess weight gain, lowers blood pressure and improves the balance of good to bad cholesterol levels in the blood.

Teenage girls can be fussy eaters so cook simple iron-rich meals such as jacket potatoes with baked beans, or grilled, lean steaks or chicken with a green leafy salad of lettuce, rocket and spinach and add some sundried tomatoes.

Boost their nutrient intake and provide snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, fruit juices and smoothies.

Persuade them to eat breakfast cereal fortified with iron or boiled eggs on wholemeal toast.

If your girl is a chocolate lover, try to persuade her to opt for a couple of squares of dark chocolate, containing 70% cocoa solids, which is full of heart healthy antioxidants.

Encourage your teen to try something different, get your games console out of the cupboard and challenge your cousin, daughter or niece to an interactive dance off.

Get the girls together for a fun summer picnic and an energetic game of rounders.

It may be that heart disease more commonly affects people in their middle and later years but the early stages of its development occur during youth, so help your teen to build some healthy foundations to guarantee them a longer wholesome life.