You wouldn't drive to Perth on half a tank of unleaded. Why then do so many of give human fuel such short shrift?

Do we take nutrition seriously enough?

For young people, nutrition can be a minefield. Social media and discerning online fact from fiction, aspirationalism, the power of influencers, peer pressure, and self esteem are but a few issues that can make life tough.

Disordered eating affects 19-25 year olds the most. It has big health ramifications. Leaving aside immediate impacts like fatigue, lethargy and reduced brain function, disordered eating is linked to diabetes, poor bone health, digestive problems, migraines, anemia, menstrual problems and even polycystic ovarian syndrome.

For active, athletic kids, pressure to 'make the weight' or to be 'lighter on your feet' or 'lean and mean' is constant. But it can lead to problematic nutrition practices.

Mitzi Adamson completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science earlier this year. She recently started her Masters of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice at Bond University. She plays AFLW with the Bond University Bull Sharks.

Here, in Part 1 of a So Your Kid Wants to Play Sport two-part nutrition special feature, Mitzi shares her personal nutrition story.

Links:

bond.edu.au/program/master-of-n…d-dietetic-practice
bond.edu.au/program/bachelor-of…-and-sports-science