Nutrition in adolescence

Adolescence is a critical period of development because of the rapid changes in physical, cognitive, and psychologic growth that occur. During this time, eating behaviors change as children grow and begin taking more autonomy over their feeding. Offering adolescents appropriate levels of support can improve their chances of maintaining healthful dietary behaviors into adulthood. This is particularly critical for adolescents who have additional needs, including athletes, pregnant teens, and those who have disordered eating behaviors. Finally, the prevalence of obesity and metabolic diseases has been increasing throughout the population, including adolescents. Comprehensive nutrition support for this age group needs to include a strong focus on weight gain prevention.