The ideal way to start a productive day is to have breakfast which is known as the prime meal of the day. The importance of breakfast has always been stressed by healthcare professionals and wellness enthusiasts. The fundamental aspect to adopt a healthy lifestyle is to start your day with a breakfast that is packed with nutrients.
Why Breakfast Is Important?
Breakfast has the potential to regulate overeating later in the day as it controls appetite and enhances brain function. Breakfast also supplies energy to activate metabolism and prevents energy clashes and fluctuations. Moreover, a wholesome breakfast could elevate your mood and offers you a positive outlook to kickstart your day.
Although, some individuals have the tendency to skip the primary meal of the day which could adversely affect metabolic rates, and energy levels that could have perpetual effects. Teens usually tend to skip their breakfast which could result in health complications and unhealthy eating practices.
Teenage is a crucial phase of rapid growth and development which will require high levels of energy to fuel the body. They should be encouraged to prioritize a balanced breakfast for proper body functions and regulations.
Why Teens Skip Breakfast?
👉 Lack of Appetite
Lack of appetite is a primary reason for some teens to skip the most important meal of the day. Reduced appetite could be a result of binge eating at irregular hours that leaves them unsatisfied with digestive issues. Such unhealthy patterns of food intake reduce the consumption of required nutrients for bodily functions.
👉 Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a common concern among teens that adversely affects their optimal functioning and overall growth. Insufficient sleep time among teens could be a result of several reasons including excessive screen time, delayed sleep, caffeine intake, academic demands, hormonal imbalance, etc.
As a result of not getting adequate sleep their body cycle is disrupted and it could result in reduced food intake, especially breakfast.
👉 Time Constraints
Time constraints in adolescence also result in skipping breakfast as they are in a constant rush. Teenage is a busy phase with a plethora of activities that might tempt them to prioritize academic demands, extracurriculars, and social activities over health. As a result of this, they might have insufficient time and desire for breakfast.
👉 Body Image Issues
Issues related to body image are a matter of grave concern among teenagers. Teens are vulnerable and they could develop unrealistic expectations and deeper insecurities over their looks. Common misconceptions and an innate desire to have the perfect body could make them conscious and they might skip breakfast to reduce calorie intake.
👉 Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is another reason for teens to skip breakfast as the eating habits and interests of friends have a critical influence on them. The strong desire to fit in and to be accepted by peers impacts the choices and preferences of teenagers. This results in the consumption of food that is unhealthy and nutrient deficient that develops disordered eating behaviors.
👉 Consumption of Fast Food
Teenagers tend to develop a taste for fast food that is high in calories and unhealthy fats. The frequent consumption of fast food has detrimental effects on the growth and development of teenagers. The overconsumption of such food results in irregular eating patterns and reduced appetite. As a result, teenagers tend to avoid healthy options such as homely cooked meals, especially breakfast.
👉 Lack of Awareness
Lack of awareness is also something that prompts teens to skip breakfast. Mostly, teenagers do not have proper knowledge of the importance of having a nutrient-dense breakfast and its effects on health and wellness. It is of paramount importance to educate teens on consuming the most important meal of the day without pressurizing them and forming conclusions.
👉 Mental Health Factors
Mental health is of utmost importance when it comes to the overall well-being of a person. Certain factors such as anxiety, stress, and depression could dampen one’s motivation and excitement. As a consequence, individuals especially teenagers will try to minimize food intake as a coping mechanism that leads to unhealthy food choices.
👉 Cooking Skills
Inadequate cooking skills could also be a reason for teens to skip breakfast. As they are no experts, they might need additional time to prepare a healthy wholesome breakfast. Therefore, they might depend on snacks and unhealthy food options as a substitute for breakfast.
Read More: How Nutrition Affects Teen Mental Health? All You Need To Know!
Conclusion
Even though breakfast is deemed the most important meal of the day many have a tendency to skip it and rely on certain unhealthy options. The teenage phase is vulnerable and the most crucial part of human development.
Having healthy dietary preferences is critical at this stage as it will have long-term effects on an individual. Even if, not having breakfast have immediate consequences it will gradually disrupt one’s mechanism and bodily functions. It is highly advised to build a healthy relationship with food for a balanced lifestyle.
Teens should be advised and educated so that they make effective dietary choices. During this fragile phase, they might experience certain challenges that indirectly reflect on their food habits. It should be effectively tackled with the right approach and careful analysis of underlying causes.
