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Adolescent : Nutrition
 Nutrition Issues

Increased Growth assessment Adolescent Nutrition related to

nutritional need eating pattern early pregnacy.
and life style
 Increased Nutritional need

Calories
• Male: 2200-2600 Calories
• Female: 2000-2100 Calories

Proteins
• 55-80 gms per day

Fats
• 22 gms per day
 What about
dietary fibre?
• NDNS survey found average
dietary fibre (NSP) intakes to be
low in teenagers:
- Boys (11-14 years) 11.6 g/day
(15-18 years) 13.3 g/day
- Girls (11–14 years) 10.2 g/day
(15-18 years) 10.6 g/day

• Reference values:
- 15 g/day (11-14 years)
- 18 g/day (15 years or
above)
 Teenagers have increased iron requirements.

Girls need more iron than boys to replace

menstrual losses (RNI: boys 11.3 g/day, girls
14.8 g/day).

Teenager Low iron intakes (< LRNI) in 44% of girls (11-

14 years) and 48% of girls (15-18 years).
s and
Lack of iron leads to an increased risk of iron
iron deficiency anaemia and associated health
consequences.

Teenagers who follow a vegetarian diet or

restrict food intake (e.g. to lose weight)
particularly at risk.
Iron absorption

• Good sources: meat (especially

lean red meat), liver and offal,
green leafy vegetables, pulses
(beans, lentils), dried fruit, nuts
and seeds, fortified breakfast
cereals.

• Iron from meat sources (haem

iron) is readily absorbed by the
body.

• Vitamin C helps the body to

absorb iron from other sources
(non-haem iron).
 Levels of overweight and obesity are
increasing: 35% of teenagers (12-15 years)
are classified as overweight or obese.
Teenager Teenagers, especially girls, often try to
control their weight by adopting very low
s and energy diets or smoking.

energy Restricted diets may lead to nutrient

deficiencies and other health
consequences.
balance Teenagers of unhealthy weight may need
guidance on lifestyle changes to help them
achieve a healthy weight.
 • Physical activity throughout life is
important for maintaining energy
balance and overall health.

• At least 60 mins of moderate-intensity

Teenagers physical activity each day is
recommended.
– physical • Include activities that improve bone
activity health, muscle strength and flexibility at
least twice per week.

• 68% of boys and 41% of girls (13-15

year-olds) achieve the recommended 60
mins per day.
 BMI < 15 – Under weight
or Chronic energy
deficit
BMI < 13 – Severely
For Indian Underweight

Adolescent BMI > 22 – Overweight

BMI> 25- Obesity

 Changing Life Style
Factors Increased Consumption of Junk Food

affectin Missing meals

g eating Prolonged Television Viewing

Nibbling
pattern Meal Timing
 Obesity

Stunting and Malnutrition

Adolescent Iron Deficiency Anemia
related Calcium Deficiency
Nutritional
Nutrition Related dental decay
disorder
High calorie Malnutrition

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency

Diet and
mood/behaviour
• There are a number of foods that have a
pharmacological effect in the body
which affects mood:

* caffeine;
* vaso-active amines, such as histamine;
* tryptophan and serotonin.

• There is evidence to suggest that poor

vitamin and mineral status may be
associated with poor educational
attainment and antisocial behaviour.