Nourishing our future: the Lancet Series on adolescent nutrition

Abstract

Adolescence is a time of phenomenal growth. During adolescence height velocity is second only to the first 2 years of life 1 Patton G Sawyer S Santelli J et al. Our future: a Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet. 2016; 387: 2423-2478 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar , 2 Depauw E Oxley D Toddlers, teenagers, and terminal heights: the importance of puberty for male adult stature, Flanders, 1800–76. Econ Hist Rev. 2019; 72: 925-952 Crossref Scopus (10) Google Scholar and every physiological system is transformed. 3 Prentice AM Ward KA Goldberg GR et al. Critical windows for nutritional interventions against stunting. Am Clin Nutr. 2013; 97: 911-918 Crossref PubMed Scopus (276) Google Scholar 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 WHOGlobal targets 2025 to improve maternal, infant and young children nutrition. World Health Organization, Geneva2017 Google Scholar 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. 5 WHOGlobal action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013–2020. World Health Organization, Geneva2013 Google Scholar Donor investments in adolescent nutrition remain woefully inadequate. 6 Li ZH Li MQ Patton GC Lu CL Global development assistance for adolescent health from 2003 to 2015. JAMA Netw Open. 2018; 1e181072 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar Adolescent underweight and micronutrient deficiencies persist in many places as the world faces increases in adolescent overweight and obesity. From 1990 to 2016, the number of adolescents affected by overweight and obesity globally more than doubled to almost one in five while the absolute number of adolescents with anaemia increased by 20% to almost one in four. 7 Azzopardi PS Hearps SJ Francis KL et al. Progress in adolescent health and wellbeing: tracking 12 headline indicators for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016. Lancet. 2019; 393: 101-118 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (89) Google Scholar 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