From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Schedules often set teen eating habits

By Holly Beilin
Cypress Bay High

December 13 2007

America has experienced an increase in the amount of overweight, unhealthy residents.

Unfortunately, teenagers are culprits in the cycle of unhealthy eating habits because of schedules, after-school activities and taste preferences.

For the majority of the week, teenagers' schedules are dominated by school. A school's starting and ending times, and even the school policies, dictate what and how a student eats.

"I have to get up at 5:15 every morning," said Jessica Watson, a sophomore at Boyd Anderson High. "I don't eat breakfast before school, because I am not hungry that early."

However, Lisa Watine, a nutritionist and former personal trainer, said skipping breakfast makes you hungry later in the day, causing possible overeating of sugary foods. Skipping can also make students feel sluggish and lower their class performances.

Whether or not they have eaten breakfast, many students eat snacks or even lunches during classes. However, their eating privileges are generally determined by the teachers.

"I eat small snacks during my second and third periods," said Beth Brodsky, a Cypress Bay High sophomore. "My teachers are totally fine with it, but some of my friends aren't allowed to eat at all. They have to wait until lunch, which can be really late in the day."

Studying at night can also promote unhealthy eating habits.

When people are distracted and tired, they often eat without consciously noticing. While studying, teens might eat fried or sugary foods or drink caffeinated beverages to keep their energy levels up.

Furthermore, eating late at night and too soon before bed can hinder proper digestion.

Plus, "most people who eat at night are not really hungry," Watine said. "They eat because they are bored, stressed or distracted. If you make a habit of eating right before going to bed, you will gain weight."

After-school activities also affect how and when teens eat. Having to rush to a club or practice can keep teens from a healthy meal. Students often choose fast food, candy bars or sugary drinks as a quick pick-me-up instead.

But athletes must keep training in mind.

"I tend to eat healthier than most people," said Daniel Frost, a sophomore at Park Vista High in Boynton Beach.

Frost has been playing ice hockey for 11 years and currently plays for his school's team and the Junior Panthers.

"My coach constantly tells us 'Pasta, pasta, pasta!' or 'Instead of eating that waste, grab an apple!' It can definitely be a lot of pressure, especially when you know you can't always eat the right stuff."

Teenagers are also influenced by culture, and those from other countries might prefer different cuisines. Some adhere to different time schedules for meals, as well.

"Unlike Americans, Colombians do not eat a large dinner," said Angie Camacho, 21, a Broward Community College student.

"We eat a big lunch, and before dinner, we have something called onces, a snack which is usually coffee and cookies."

Religious preferences can also play a hand in teenagers' eating habits.

"I keep Kosher, which is a way of eating for Jewish people," Cypress Bay High sophomore Jake Winn said. "It involves keeping dairy products separate from meat and having the food blessed before you eat it."

All teenagers do not have the same eating habits. Many are actively trying to maintain healthier diets, such as Brodsky, who is cutting down on unhealthy fats in her diet.

Taking those steps now is good, Watine said.

"It is important to realize that these diet habits develop over time," she said. "If you start eating in an unhealthy manner when you're a teenager, you will continue as an adult."