Strategies and interventions for healthy adolescent growth, nutrition and development
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Adolescence is a pivotal point in the life-course, characterised by transformative physical, cognitive and emotional growth, an openness to change and a drive to reshape the social environment. It offers unique opportunities to adopt changes in diet and physical activity that can persist into later life. Yet pre-existing nutritional problems including micronutrient deficiencies, food insecurity and poor-quality diets persist at the same time as adolescents face the rapid emergence of an obesity epidemic.
Adolescent growth and nutrition has been largely overlooked in intervention and policy research. Most intervention studies have emphasised micronutrient supplementation with few taking into account the multiple drivers of adolescent diets. Effective interventions and policies will need to cut across sectors, be supported by multifaceted and multilevel policy and extend across education, health, food systems, social protection and digital media. Better data standardisation and systems will be essential in coordinating and monitoring these responses. In a context of shifts in planetary ecosystems and commercial drivers, resilient food systems will need to both ensure access to healthy and affordable foods and provide the infrastructure and incentives for continuing physical activity. Intergenerational partnerships with young people will be essential in bringing about transformative change and ensuring that food policies reflect their needs and aspirations.
Adolescent growth and nutrition has been largely overlooked in intervention and policy research. Most intervention studies have emphasised micronutrient supplementation with few taking into account the multiple drivers of adolescent diets. Effective interventions and policies will need to cut across sectors, be supported by multifaceted and multilevel policy and extend across education, health, food systems, social protection and digital media. Better data standardisation and systems will be essential in coordinating and monitoring these responses. In a context of shifts in planetary ecosystems and commercial drivers, resilient food systems will need to both ensure access to healthy and affordable foods and provide the infrastructure and incentives for continuing physical activity. Intergenerational partnerships with young people will be essential in bringing about transformative change and ensuring that food policies reflect their needs and aspirations.
Date Issued
2022-01-08
Date Acceptance
2021-07-02
Citation
The Lancet, 2022, 399 (10320), pp.198-210
ISSN
0140-6736
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
198
End Page
210
Journal / Book Title
The Lancet
Volume
399
Issue
10320
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Medicine, General & Internal
General & Internal Medicine
OBESITY PREVENTION
FOOD SECURITY
OVERWEIGHT
EDUCATION
CHILDREN
AGRICULTURE
TECHNOLOGY
CHILDHOOD
PROGRAMS
General & Internal Medicine
11 Medical and Health Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-11-29