A new global policy framework for adolescent nutrition?

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This new Lancet series on adolescent nutrition 1 Norris SA Frongillo EA Black MM et al. Nutrition in adolescent growth and development. Lancet. 2021; (published online Nov 29.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01590-7 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar , 2 Neufeld LM Andrade EB Suleiman AB et al. Food choice in transition: adolescent autonomy, agency, and the food environment. Lancet. 2021; (published online Nov 29.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01687-1 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Hargreaves D Mates E Menon P et al. Strategies and interventions for healthy adolescent growth, nutrition, and development. Lancet. 2021; (published online Nov 29.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01593-2 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar sets out the challenges and opportunities for addressing healthy adolescent nutrition and development. Adolescence is a time when the multiple faces of malnutrition clearly materialise, as exemplified by overweight adolescents who were stunted children, or obese children with micronutrient deficiencies. This is also a time of extreme plasticity of the body and of changing lifestyles and norms when unhealthy behaviours can be adopted or instead virtuous circles of healthy behaviours can be established. Nourishing our future: the Lancet Series on adolescent nutritionAdolescence is a time of phenomenal growth. During adolescence height velocity is second only to the first 2 years of life1,2 and every physiological system is transformed.3 Yet adolescent growth and nutrition have been overlooked in the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–25). The Sustainable Development Goals for nutrition include no adolescent-specific targets.4 WHO's global action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases similarly had no clearly specified targets for overweight and obesity in older children or adolescents. Full-Text PDF Nutrition in adolescent growth and developmentDuring adolescence, growth and development are transformative and have profound consequences on an individual's health in later life, as well as the health of any potential children. The current generation of adolescents is growing up at a time of unprecedented change in food environments, whereby nutritional problems of micronutrient deficiency and food insecurity persist, and overweight and obesity are burgeoning. In a context of pervasive policy neglect, research on nutrition during adolescence specifically has been underinvested, compared with such research in other age groups, which has inhibited the development of adolescent-responsive nutritional policies. Full-Text PDF Food choice in transition: adolescent autonomy, agency, and the food environmentDietary intake during adolescence sets the foundation for a healthy life, but adolescents are diverse in their dietary patterns and in factors that influence food choice. More evidence to understand the key diet-related issues and the meaning and context of food choices for adolescents is needed to increase the potential for impactful actions. The aim of this second Series paper is to elevate the importance given to adolescent dietary intake and food choice, bringing a developmental perspective to inform policy and programmatic actions to improve diets. Full-Text PDF Strategies and interventions for healthy adolescent growth, nutrition, and developmentAdolescence is a pivotal point in the life course, characterised by transformative physical, cognitive, and emotional growth, an openness to change, and a drive to reshape the social environment. It offers unique opportunities to adopt changes in diet and physical activity that can persist into later life. Yet pre-existing nutritional problems, including micronutrient deficiencies, food insecurity, and poor-quality diets, persist at the same time as adolescents face the rapid emergence of an obesity epidemic. Full-Text PDF