This episode of the Sound Bites Podcast, hosted by Registered Dietitian Melissa Joy Dobbins, focuses on adolescent health and the nutrition-related health challenges impacting tweens and teens, the various factors influencing their dietary intake and habits, the increased nutritional needs during this stage of development, and the need for more research to inform dietary guidance for this age group.
It's well-established that nutrient adequacy in adolescence affects physical development and academic performance, as well as long-term health — yet research is woefully lacking for this life stage and dietary guidance lacks specificity for these unique needs. In fact, the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans noted that the nutrient gaps among adolescents are so significant, that this "constellation of potential nutritional risk factors" is a public health challenge. To help address this gap, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, partnered with Dr. Mario Ferruzzi and his team at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (ACNC), one of 6 USDA national nutrition centers, to convene 50 leading nutrition scientists, physicians, registered dietitians, and public health experts. This podcast episode is a result of conversations with many of the esteemed experts who spoke/presented there.
- Illuminate the nutrition-related health challenges affecting adolescents, as well as the potential public health impact of their nutrient deficiencies.
- Address societal and behavioral factors affecting adolescents’ dietary choices and preferences.
- Demonstrate the need for balanced dietary patterns to address the unique nutritional needs (and gaps) of adolescents.
- Identify research needs and opportunities to better support evidence-based dietary guidance to effectively improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents.