If you’re looking to help your teenager lead a healthier lifestyle, a daily multivitamin might be an excellent place to start. Research has shown that teens who take vitamins are more likely to engage in other health-promoting habits such as exercising, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking. Read on to discover how vitamins and healthy lifestyle choices go hand-in-hand for teenagers.
The Power of Multivitamins
Multivitamins are a convenient way to fill nutritional gaps in a teenager’s diet. As teens go through significant growth and development, their bodies require a variety of nutrients to support proper functioning. With the less-than-ideal diets of many teenagers, a daily multivitamin can help ensure they’re getting the necessary vitamins and minerals.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that teenagers who took daily multivitamins had healthier lifestyles overall than their non-vitamin-taking counterparts. These adolescents weighed less, smoked less, and engaged in more physical activity. In addition, their diets tended to be healthier, incorporating more fish and fiber while reducing television time.
A Boost in Physical Activity
The research revealed that teens who took vitamins spent more time participating in sports and other physical activities. This finding could be connected to the increased energy and overall well-being that proper nutrition provides. Teens who feel good physically are more likely to engage in exercise, which further contributes to their overall health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adolescents should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This might include aerobic exercises like running, swimming, or dancing, as well as muscle-building exercises like push-ups, squats, or gymnastics. Teens who fulfill these recommendations build healthy habits that lower their risk of obesity, cardiovascular issues, and mental health problems.
Making Healthier Dietary Choices
The study also found that teenagers who took daily multivitamins had healthier diets than their peers who didn’t take vitamins. They were more likely to eat fiber-rich foods and consume fish, providing their bodies with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.
However, a multivitamin shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a well-balanced diet. It’s essential for teenagers to develop healthy eating habits that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, adolescent athletes in particular should focus on a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and lean proteins to fuel their activities properly.
Reducing Screen Time and Avoiding Smoking
These healthier habits don’t stop with physical activity and diet. Teens who took multivitamins in the study watched significantly less television than their peers. Excessive screen time has been linked to a variety of health problems, including obesity, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends setting regular screen-free times for teens and offering healthier alternatives like physical activity or face-to-face communication.
In addition to reducing screen time, the vitamin-taking teenagers in the study smoked less than their peers. Smoking is a major health risk for adolescents, and establishing a non-smoking habit early in life can have significant long-term health benefits. The American Lung Association suggests that parental support and involvement in cessation programs can aid in helping teens quit smoking or avoid picking up the habit.
Encouraging a Healthier Lifestyle
While taking a daily multivitamin can positively impact a teenager’s health, it’s essential to encourage a holistic approach to wellness. Parents can help by modeling healthy behaviors like physical activity, balanced eating, and avoiding smoking. In addition, maintaining open communication with teenagers about the importance of health, offering support, and getting them involved in their own well-being will set the foundation for a healthy future.
By incorporating a daily multivitamin into your teenager’s routine, you may be setting them up for a healthier lifestyle overall. Encourage them to engage in regular physical activity, eat a balanced diet, limit screen time, and avoid smoking. These habits, combined with the nutritional support of a multivitamin, can help adolescents maintain good health throughout their teenage years and into adulthood.
