Nutrition in Adolescence

• Puberty marks the beginning of adolescence, the time between childhood and young adulthood.
• The DRI recommendations divide adolescence into two age groups: 9 through 13 years, and 14 through 18 years.
• Fat usually assumes a larger percentage of change in body weight in girls.
• While teenage boys experience greater muscle and bone development.
• For ages 9 to 13, girls should consume about 1,400 to 2,200 calories per day.
• For ages 9 to 13, boys should consume 1,600 to 2,600 calories per day.
• For ages 14 to 18, girls should consume about 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day.
• For ages 14 to 18, boys should consume about 2,000 to 3,200 calories per day.
• Calorie needs vary based on activity level.
• The extra energy required for physical development during the teenage years should be obtained primarily from nutrient-dense foods instead of empty-calorie foods, to support adequate nutrient intake and a healthy body weight.
• For children and adolescents ages 4 through 18, the AMDR for carbohydrates is 45 to 65 percent of daily calories, and most of these calories should come from high-fiber foods such as whole grains.
• The AMDR for protein is 10 to 30 percent of daily calories, and lean proteins, such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, and seeds are excellent ways to meet protein needs.
• The AMDR for fat is 25 to 35 percent of daily calories.
• The focus should be on unsaturated plant fats to prevent chronic diseases.
• Micronutrient recommendations for adolescents are mostly the same as for adults, though children this age need more of certain minerals.
• The most important micronutrients for adolescents are calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and iron.
• Calcium level increase to 1,300 mg/day during adolescence to support bone growth and prevent osteoporosis later in life.
• Low-fat dairy products and foods fortified with calcium, such as breakfast cereals and orange juice, are excellent sources of calcium.
• Iron needs increase for adolescent girls with the onset of menstruation.
• Iron of 15 mg/day for ages 9 to 13 for adolescent girls.
• Iron of 18 mg/day for ages 14 to 18 for adolescent girls
• Adolescent boys also need additional iron for the development of lean body mass (11 mg/day for ages 14-18).
• Vitamin A is critical to support the rapid development and growth that happens during adolescence.
• Adequate fruit and vegetable intake meets vitamin A needs.
• Common nutrition-related health concerns in adolescence:

  1. Disordered eating
  2. Obesity
  3. Nutritionally vulnerable
• Eating disorders are most prevalent among adolescent girls but have been increasing among adolescent boys in recent years.
• Girls with anorexia experience nutritional and hormonal problems that negatively influence peak bone density, and therefore may be at increased risk for osteoperosis and fracture throughout life.
• The signs and symptoms of anorexia include:

  • Sudden weight loss
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting after meals
  • Use of appetite suppressants
• Treatment of eating disorders includes cognitive, behavioral, and nutritional therapy.
• Childhood obesity has become a major problem worldwide.
• According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, the prevalence of obesity was 18.4% for youth ages 6 to 11 in 2016.
• According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, the prevalence of obesity was 20.6% for youth ages 12 to 19 in 2016.
• One of the factors that may contribute to obesity is early life factors, such as lack of breastfeeding support.
• Larger portion sizes
• Limited access to nutrient-rich foods.
• Increased access to fast foods and vending machines.
• Declining physical education programs in schools.
• Insufficient physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Media messages encouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods.
• Obesity is a major risk factor for a numer of diseases later in life, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and certain cancers.