19-year-old Kartikay Kataria was battling asthma attacks and was bullied at school for being sickly and skinny. So he started following actor Hrithik Roshan's body transformation videos and sought out coach Ankit Mohan, a TV actor, for his high-protein diet, supplements and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout plan. But the high costs made it unsustainable. Though he gained muscle initially, he was mimicking a routine that was not suited to his body type, and he hit a plateau, complaining of lack of energy and mood disorders.
Kartikay is a perfect example of how a celebrity's health journey on social media, without a team of experts or rigorous documentation to stay consistent, can affect the young mind with half-baked information. Like him, 18-year-old Pallavi followed Korean stars' diets to lose weight. “IU ate one sweet potato, one apple and a protein shake, while BTS's Jimin skipped meals for nearly 10 days. The crux of these diets is to eat less and exercise more. I followed Chloe Ting's two-week abs challenge and started adopting intermittent fasting. I also cut down on snacking, reduced my salt intake and avoided oily foods. At first, I was happy to lose weight. But the dieting made me feel sick and my body weakened,” she says. Now, the denial has made me crave food more and the weight has come back.
Social media amplifies body consciousness
“Teenagers' obsession with having a 'perfect' body can stem from deeper issues like childhood bullying and societal pressures that can shape their self-esteem and lead to negative thinking. This is why they feel like no one is going to help them in the real world and turn to celebrity posts for stories of hope. But they forget that influencers and celebrities often use filters, hire professional coaches and healthcare experts, and that they also have lifelong plans to get in shape, but make them appear short-term in their posts,” says Sonali Behl, senior clinical psychologist.
For Varsha Goli, senior clinical nutritionist at Apollo Hospitals in Navi Mumbai, half of her outpatient clinics are young people chasing the perfect figure. “Just like their favourite celebrities, young people want instant results. The initial weight lost is mostly water so the results are short-lived. Though strict diets have to be supervised by an expert, they can still lead to problems like loss of energy, low haemoglobin, vitamin B12 deficiency and weakened immunity,” she says. “This often results in hair loss and loss of bone density. It can also lead to young people developing eating disorders,” she adds.
Young boys often turn to steroids and protein supplements that are harmful to the kidneys and liver in an attempt to get six-pack abs and sculpted biceps. “Adolescence is a time of physical maturation, so teenagers need a balanced diet that includes macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidants, fiber, prebiotics and probiotics. Developing a proper nutrition plan takes time and consistency, not just temporary fixes.”
The ABCDEF diet approach for young people
Gorey suggests a simple formula:
1. Anthropometry: Measure height, weight, body circumference, muscle mass, and other physical characteristics. For example, a young man looking to build muscle will need a different approach than someone looking to lose weight.
2. Biochemical parameters: Blood tests like cholesterol, blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies etc. help in adjusting the diet to address any health issues.
3. Complaints: Health complaints such as digestive problems, migraines, fatigue, sleep disorders etc. should also be considered.
4. Detailed dietary history: Understanding current and past eating habits, food preferences, and food intolerances is essential.
5. Emotions: Young people suffer from body image issues, guilt, anxiety and stress related to their eating habits. Addressing these emotions is crucial.
6. Fitness: Regular physical activity increases blood circulation, helps burn calories and maintains muscle tone.
© Indian Express Ltd.
First uploaded: 19 July 2024 16:19 IST
