Adolescent feeding: Nutritional risk factors

Abstract

The aim of this review is to describe adolescent nutritional requirements from a scientific, nutritional, and psychosocial point of view, emphasizing the main risks of malnutrition at this age. Currently, too many teenagers are alone at home and prepare their own meals. The influence of friends replaces parental rules. The habits of adolescents are characterized by a tendency to skip meals, especially breakfast, and, less frequently, the midday meal; to purchase carry-out meals away from home; to consume snacks, especially sweets; to eat at fast food restaurants, almost always with high-calorie content; and to eat fried foods, soft drinks, and sweets. Toxic habits, such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs, interfere with a healthy diet, as well. Physical activity usually decreases during adolescence, particularly in girls. The lack of physical activity is due to a precarious knowledge of the benefits associated with practicing physical activity, low motivation, time constraints, and, in many cases, the lack of adequate facilities. Adolescents interested in a body image in accordance with modern ideals follow restrictive and unbalanced diets without any nutritional basis, which they themselves planned. These behaviors increase the risk of nutritional alterations, such as noncompliance with nutritional requirements, meal pattern irregularities, nutritional problems due to low nutrient intake, and self-esteem issues and frustration. In general, in this age group, there is an increase in protein consumption and salt content, often with a supply of unbalanced nutrients, high-fat diets (35–50% of total calories), and low polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio. In addition, adolescents consume a low level of complex carbohydrates, fiber, fruits, and vegetables.