Nutrition and teenagers

Abstract

Nutrient needs during adolescence are higher than at any other time in the lifecycle, and failure to consume a healthy balanced diet during this time can have adverse affects on young people's well-being, energy and health. In addition to the impact on growth and development, a poor diet during this lifestage can cause a number of immediate health problems such as iron deficiency anaemia, obesity, diabetes and dental caries in the short-term. In addition, it may have long-term implications by, for example, increasing risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis in adult life. The Government's National Diet and Nutrition Survey has raised some concerns about the consequences of imbalanced diets for the health of teenagers in Britain. Young people are still getting a disproportionately large amount of their dietary energy from saturates and sugar and many are also consuming large amounts of salt. On average, teenagers are eating less than half the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. There is also evidence of low intakes of several vitamins and minerals (including folate, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron) amongst adolescents, particularly teenage girls, some of whom appear to be avoiding important sources of these micronutrients (e.g. milk and meat) in the mistaken belief that they are ‘fattening’. The UK is experiencing an epidemic of obesity that extends to the adolescent population. Obesity is caused by excessive energy intake and decreased physical activity. Dietary strategies to combat obesity must not prevent normal growth or development. Too much emphasis on body weight and body image might also promote eating disorders in this age group. Strategies are, therefore, needed to increase physical activity amongst teenagers, particularly older girls in whom levels appear to be lowest.