241 The critical years of GROWING-UP FOOD FACTS A message to the "teens" and to their mothers The years from fourteen to eighteen are critically important to a girl or boy's development. Young people in their 'teens are leaving school and starting work. What do they have for their mid-day meal? Bun and tea? That isn't enough. They must have a square meal to keep them fit. Without it they will be undernourished, anaemic, liable to catch anything that's going, and easily overtired. If they can't buy a meal where they work, then they should be sure to take one with them.