PROTOCOL: Effects of preventive nutrition interventions among adolescents on health and nutritional status in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review

Abstract

The intervention The following interventions (alone or in combination) have been advocated to prevent nutrition deficiencies: ► Nutrition education and counselling ► Micronutrient supplementation and fortification ► Macronutrient supplementation Nutrition education and counselling Dietary habits of adolescents are influenced by various factors including food environments, food advertisements, mass media messages, peers and social eating culture ( Riebl 2015; Stang 2017). Nutrition education can help young people attain the knowledge and skills they need to make healthful food choices and develop lifelong healthy eating patterns. Fortification could be mass fortification (that is adding micronutrients to foods that are commonly consumed such as flour, salt, sugar and cooking oil) or point-of-use fortification (that involves adding single-dose packets of vitamins and minerals in powder form that can be sprinkled onto any ready to eat food consumed at home, school, nurseries, refugee camps or any other place where possible) (WHO 2014b; Zlotkin 2005). How the intervention might work Nutrition education and counselling Nutritional concerns among the adolescent age group make them vulnerable to environmental influences and consequent unhealthy eating behaviours ( Riebl 2015; Stang 2017). [...]promotion of healthy nutrition during adolescence is vital to inculcate sustainable healthy dietary habits.