. Factors influencing eating behaviour By the time a person reaches adolescence the influences on eating habits are numerous and the formation of those habits is extremely complex, as shown in Figure . The growing independence of adolescents, increased participation in social life, and a generally busy schedule of activities have a definite impact on what they eat. They are beginning to buy and prepare more food for themselves and they often eat rapidly and away from home.
In order to encourage adolescents to form reasonably healthy eating habits parents should give their children the opportunity to choose from a range of nourishing foods as they are growing up. By the time they are teenagers they will need some freedom to use the kitchen; this is true for boys as well as for girls. While the basic foundation for eating habits is found in the family, many influences on eating behaviour originate outside the home. The influence of peers can be a useful source of support, as well as a source of stress for the adolescent.
Peer influence and support can be helpful for overweight teenagers, although the same peers can also target such adolescents for teasing. Teenagers are very vulnerable to advertising messages. Television food commercials and eating habits portrayed in programme content have influenced people for more than a decade. The majority of advertisements are for products with a high concentration of sweetness and fat.
Hence, adolescents have to be discerning while consuming such food products. The ease of obtaining food that is ready to eat also influences the eating habits of teenagers. Through home delivery/vending machines, at movies, melas and sporting events, at fast-food outlets and convenience groceries, food is available at numerous times throughout the day. Hence, adolescents may eat more often as well as more of not-so-healthy food stuffs.
Watching this tendency is advisable.