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How Tall At Age Twelve?
A young lady of 12 asks for help in holding the weight line until
she grows taller. Here is her request: "I am 4' 10 1/2" tall and
I weigh 85 pounds. Please show me how to start good food habits.
I pick at food which I know is wrong. I need a food - plan. I
don't want to gain any more weight until I grow a little taller.
My question is: Am I over, under or just the right weight?"
You are on the right track in aiming to improve nutrition, but it isn't
your weight that should be your chief concern. Give yourself a
break by shifting to "growing tall" foods. Compared to the
average girl of 12, you are in the short zone. To show you where
you stand on the height weight chart: Age 12, girl: Short — 57.9
inches (4'10") weight 79 pounds. Average: 60", 96 pounds. Tall:
62.9 inches, 115& pounds. A girl's fastest growing years are
from ages 11 to 14. Your greatest gain in height, on the
average, will be at the age you are right now, 12.
Get with good food habits without delay, before your time for growing
runs out. Heredity determines your growth potential. A
nutritionally adequate food plan that meets your requirements
for energy and essential nutrients will give you the best chance
to develop according to nature's most favorable plan for you.
You have your own individual timetable for growth, but bear in
mind that the span of years for growing is longer for young men
than it is for young ladies. Use a Daily Food Guide as a
framework for your food choices. Milk: 4 glasses (8- oz. each).
To curb calories, part may be 99 per cent fat free, or skim milk
or buttermilk. Lean meat, fish or chicken; 2 servings, 3 oz.
each, cooked weight not counting bone. Eggs: 1 daily, or 5 per
week. Protein alternates. Cheese, cottage cheese, dried beans,
dried peas. Vegetables: 3 servings, one a dark green or deep
yellow for Vitamin A. Fruits: 3 servings, one an orange or
grapefruit or the juice, for Vitamin C. Bread - cereal group:
Good quality bread 3 to 4 slices. Cereal, cooked or dry, 3 cups.
Round out this list to meet but not to exceed your calorie
needs.
When you eat between meals, such as after school, choose fruit
and milk. Skip the sweets, for they boost calories but slight
the nutrients needed to help you grow taller. Exercise daily.
Walk, jog, swim, dance, swing into shapeups. Exercise, in
combination with proper nutrition, will help you to make the
most of your own growth potential.
By IDA JEAN KAIN
For The Times Recorder
April 8th, 1968
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