Which of the following food components should be specifically increased when planning a balanced diet for ado… - BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Medium

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

Explanation

Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and development, necessitating specific nutritional adjustments.
For girls, the onset of menstruation creates a higher demand for iron to compensate for monthly blood loss and prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Calcium is critical during this stage to support the adolescent growth spurt and help achieve peak bone mass, which is vital for preventing osteoporosis in later life.
Therefore, a balanced diet for adolescent girls must be rich in both iron and calcium.

Option A: Trans fats are unhealthy fats that raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and lower good cholesterol (HDL) levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary guidelines recommend minimizing their intake.
Option B: Simple carbohydrates (like sugar and refined flour) provide calories with little nutritional value. While they provide quick energy, their intake should be limited to prevent weight gain, dental caries, and risk of type 2 diabetes.
Option C: Saturated fats, found in fatty meats, butter, and full-fat dairy, can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Their consumption should be limited as part of a healthy diet.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nutritional requirements for adolescent girls as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating adolescents and their families about healthy eating habits to prevent long-term health issues like anemia and osteoporosis.
Screening for signs of nutritional deficiencies, such as fatigue, pale skin (anemia), or frequent fractures, is an important part of pediatric and adolescent nursing care.
What if? If the adolescent girl is a vegetarian, the nurse must provide specific guidance on plant-based iron sources (lentils, beans, tofu, fortified cereals) and emphasize consuming them with a source of Vitamin C (like citrus fruits) to enhance absorption.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the specific population in the question: 'adolescent girls'.
Next, consider the key physiological changes this group undergoes: rapid growth spurt and the onset of menstruation.
Evaluate each option based on these physiological needs. Ask yourself, 'Which of these nutrients supports bone growth and replaces blood loss?'
Iron is directly linked to blood formation (hemoglobin), and calcium is essential for bone health. This makes 'Iron and calcium' a strong candidate.
Conversely, evaluate the other options (Trans fat, Simple carbohydrates, Saturated fat) based on general principles of a balanced diet. These are known to be unhealthy in large amounts and should be limited, not increased.
Conclude that increasing iron and calcium is the most appropriate dietary modification for this demographic.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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