They go overboard with junk foods, fast foods, follow fad diets, skip meals, and don t get enough of the nutrient-rich foods their growing bodies need.
Nutritionists say such extreme eating habits can be extremely dangerous.
Teens extreme eating habits which have also been labeled disordered and dysfunctional can lead to serious health problems, even death, experts say. Ironically, the nutrients that teenagers need the most in those peak growth years they don t get, says Sheila Kelly, a clinical dietitian at Providence Hospital in Washington, DC, who writes a monthly nutrition column for healthAtoZ Professional. In general, a teenager s diet is very low in vitamins and minerals, says Kelly. In particular, teenagers lack calcium, iron and zinc. The media also has an influence, she says.