Adolescents, comprised of 10–19-year-olds, form the largest category of young people in the society. Some 1.8 billion adolescents are there in the world, with 90% residing in low and middle-income countries. Nutritional deficiencies, suboptimal linear growth, and undernutrition are major public health problems among adolescents in addition to the burden of diseases of infectious and injury-related causes. Overweight may also be on the rise in many contexts.
Owing to sudden and increased growth occurring during the accelerated growth phase (growth spurt), there is a tremendous increase in the nutritional requirements of adolescents compared to preceding years of growth. Diet should provide not only sufficient calories but also essential elements and nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals required for the accelerated growth. Nutritional health concerns of adolescents The…
