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.
Keywords
adolescent nutritional requirements - energy requirements - nutritional risk - meal
pattern irregularities - eating disorders
