Optimizing Nutrition for Adolescents

Food habits of concern are seen more frequently among adolescents, than other age groups and include irregular consumption of meals, excessive snacking, eating away from home, at fast food outlets, dieting or meal skipping.  Extensively processed convenient foods tend to be low in vitamins, minerals, fibre, and calcium, but high in calories, added fat, sugar or sweeteners. Of concern is also the tendency for energy drinks, which contain more than the recommended daily limit of 100mg of caffeine.

The rebellion that is associated with teen years is actually a manifestation of their search for independence and a sense of autonomy. Food can be and often is used as a means of exerting autonomy. Preoccupation with body size, shape and body image may lead to ‘dieting’ and possibly disordered eating behaviours.

At the same time, menarche increases the micronutrient requirements of the adolescent female, and adolescent males gain 2x as much lean tissue as females, resulting in significantly increased nutrient requirements.  Vitamin D plays a very important role in facilitating calcium and other mineral absorption for bone development during this time. Medication for the treatment of ADHD or inhaled corticosteroids for treatment of asthma has been associated with appetite suppression and growth deficits. Yet increased nutrient availability is required not only for physical growth and sports activities but also significantly so for brain development, memory and concentration