12/04/2023
Adolescents are young individuals that are between the ages of 10 and 19 years’ old; this is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood and also a critical phase of physical growth and development. This stage is sensitive to malnutrition as a result of the increased physiological need for nutrition that can be affected by insufficiency, excess, or inequality in individual energy intake, which can affect them and their future generation.
Adolescence, when growth spurts occur, may expose them to malnutrition. They gain 20% to 25% of their height and up to 50% of their ideal weight. To support this rapid growth, there is a need for increased demand of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Sufficient nutrient intake of both macro and micro-nutrients is essential at this stage to meet the increased demand due to speedy growth, s*xual maturation and menstruation. Under-nutrition may contribute to underweight, poor performance at school, poor general health, pregnancy and birth complications, and less economic productivity. Whereas over-nutrition may contribute to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea and cancer, among others.
Taking care of oneself and the intakes of all the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals that are required at such age is very important for leading a healthy life.
