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Adolescent Nutrition and Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 18979

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stefania Ruggeri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center for Food and Nutrition, 00178 Rome, Italy
Interests: nutritional status; maternal health; preconceptional health; population surveys; developmental age; food habits; food consumption; adherence to the Mediterranean diet; sedentary lifestyle; obesity prevention; children’s health; communication; community-based interventions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Laura Censi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CREA Council for Agricultural Research and Economics—Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Interests: nutritional status; anthropometry; body composition; energy metabolism; food habits; adherence to the Mediterranean diet; physical activity; obesity prevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adolescence is a critical age of life for the physical, neurological, cognitive, and behavioural changes that occur leading towards adulthood. Although health status in adolescents is shaped by former periods such as intrauterine development, breast feeding, weaning and childhood, this age represents a unique opportunity for a “healthy” development in which proper nutrition, healthy eating habits and lifestyles are the cornerstones and the investment of well-being throughout the course of life. Furthermore, adolescents, as the next generation of adults, are key players in improving health outcomes for future generations. On the other hand, unhealthy dietary patterns and behaviours in adolescence could persist in adulthood, with possible long-term health consequences such as increasing risk for non-communicable diseases. Poor nutrition in adolescents may be related to insufficient intake of macro and micronutrients, and to overweight/obesity, due to manifold factors, but there is a lack of information on this topic as yet. Increasing the knowledge about nutrition in adolescents within their socio-environmental context is essential for planning effective strategies to improve nutrition of young people, especially in this time marked by the possible effects on this issue due to COVID-19 pandemic.

This Special Issue focuses on the current state of knowledge on nutrition and health and their determinants in adolescents, also with a look at effective intervention strategies. New research papers and reviews are welcome to this Special Issue.

Dr. Stefania Ruggeri
Dr. Laura Censi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • adolescent
  • nutrition
  • health
  • dietary pattern
  • micro macronutrient
  • malnutrition
  • overweight/obesity
  • physical activity
  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • effective interventions

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 672 KiB  
Article
“What If Others Think I Look Like…” The Moderating Role of Social Physique Anxiety and Sex in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction in Swiss Adolescents
by Silvia Meyer, Christin Lang, Sebastian Ludyga, Alexander Grob and Markus Gerber
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054441 - 2 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
Background: Physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on life satisfaction in adolescents. Despite these benefits, physical activity levels constantly drop during adolescence, suggesting potential interfering factors in this link. Since worries about physical appearance are an important issue at [...] Read more.
Background: Physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on life satisfaction in adolescents. Despite these benefits, physical activity levels constantly drop during adolescence, suggesting potential interfering factors in this link. Since worries about physical appearance are an important issue at this age, this study aims to examine the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction in adolescents and explores possible moderating effects of social physique anxiety and sex. Methods: We used data from a longitudinal study with N = 864 vocational students (mean age = 17.87 years, range: 16–25, 43% female) from Switzerland. To test our hypotheses, we used multiple hierarchical regression analyses as well as simple slope analyses. Results: We did not find a significant direct effect of physical activity on life satisfaction. However, we found a significant two-way interaction between physical activity and social physique anxiety. An additional significant three-way interaction occurred, indicating that a positive effect of physical activity on life satisfaction holds only for female adolescents with low social physique anxiety levels. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of developing a healthy relationship with one’s body to fully benefit from physical activity, especially for female adolescents. Taken together, these results reveal important considerations for physical activity educators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adolescent Nutrition and Health)
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14 pages, 5444 KiB  
Article
Iron Deficiency among School-Aged Adolescents in Hong Kong: Prevalence, Predictors, and Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life
by Yin Ting Cheung, Dorothy Fung Ying Chan, Cheuk Kwong Lee, Wai Chiu Tsoi, Ching Wa Lau, Jennifer Ngar Sze Leung, Jason Chi Chiu So, Chris Lei Po Wong, Stella Tsui Ying Tsang, Yvonne Yuen Ling Chu and Chi Kong Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2578; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032578 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2828
Abstract
Iron deficiency (ID) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency affecting children/adolescents worldwide. We reported (1) the prevalence of ID and ID with anemia (IDA) among Chinese school-aged adolescents, (2) clinical and dietary predictors of iron status, and (3) its impact on health-related qualities of [...] Read more.
Iron deficiency (ID) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency affecting children/adolescents worldwide. We reported (1) the prevalence of ID and ID with anemia (IDA) among Chinese school-aged adolescents, (2) clinical and dietary predictors of iron status, and (3) its impact on health-related qualities of life (HRQoL). This cross-sectional study recruited 183 boys and 340 girls (mean age = 17.55) from 16 schools in Hong Kong. ID is defined as serum ferritin <15 μg/L. The participants reported their dietary habits, menstrual patterns (girls), and HRQoL using structured questionnaires. The overall prevalence of ID was 11.1%. None of the boys had ID or IDA. Among girls, the rate of ID was 17.1% and IDA was 10.9%. One-third (36.3%) reported a regular habit of skipping ≥1 meal/day. Lower ferritin was found in adolescents who skipped meals (Est = −35.1, p = 0.017). Lower ferritin is correlated with poorer school functioning (Est = 0.81, p = 0.045) and fatigue (Est = 0.92, p = 0.016). Skipping meals is associated with poorer physical (p = 0.0017) and school functioning (p = 0.027). To conclude, 1 in 10 school-aged adolescents in Hong Kong are iron-deficient. The ID rate in girls (17.1%) is similar to that in other industrialized countries (5.2–16.6%). Future work should promote awareness on the potential health consequences of poor dietary habits on ID and the well-being of adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adolescent Nutrition and Health)
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13 pages, 631 KiB  
Article
Food Behaviours and Health Indicators in Manitoba Adolescents and Relation to the Healthy Eating Index
by Joyce Slater, Bhanu Pilli, Aynslie Hinds, Alan Katz, Marcelo L. Urquia, Julianne Sanguins, Chris Green, Jaime Cidro, Dan Chateau and Nathan Nickel
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2007; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032007 - 21 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2768
Abstract
Adolescence is a vital period of growth and development, both of which are dependent on adequate nutrition; however, concerns persist about poor nutrition and inappropriate food behaviours. In addition to nutrition assessment, the context of food and health behaviour is necessary to understand [...] Read more.
Adolescence is a vital period of growth and development, both of which are dependent on adequate nutrition; however, concerns persist about poor nutrition and inappropriate food behaviours. In addition to nutrition assessment, the context of food and health behaviour is necessary to understand how dietary choices are shaped and related to diet quality. This study describes food-related behaviours and health indicators associated with dietary quality among adolescents in Manitoba, Canada. A stratified two-stage sampling method was used to collect data on the diet, food behaviours and health indicators of 1587 grade nine students. Diet quality was analysed using the Healthy Eating Index-Canada. Several food behaviours and health indicators varied by gender and school region (urban, rural, northern). The Independent Samples t-test and one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) assessed differences between groups on the Healthy Eating Index-Canada. Higher Healthy Eating Index-Canada scores were found for those eating family dinners more frequently; consuming breakfast and lunch more frequently; consuming breakfast at home; eating lunch and morning snacks at school; purchasing fewer meals and snacks from cafeterias and vending machines; believing that food and nutrition education is important; not attempting to lose weight; being classified as ‘healthy weight’; and getting more sleep. Many Manitoba youth are exhibiting food and health behaviours that increase their risk of having a poor diet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adolescent Nutrition and Health)
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14 pages, 1504 KiB  
Article
Dietary Patterns in Adolescent Obesity as Predictors of Long-Term Success Following an Intensive Inpatient Lifestyle Programme
by Jana Brauchmann, Anne-Madeleine Bau, Gert B. M. Mensink, Almut Richter, Andrea Ernert, Theresa Keller and Susanna Wiegand
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416613 - 10 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1439
Abstract
(1) Background: Lifestyle interventions for adolescents with obesity show minor long-term effects on anthropometric parameters. The persistence of dietary changes after obesity inpatient rehabilitation has not been sufficiently investigated. (2) Objectives: To analyse dietary patterns in German adolescents with obesity as predictors of [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Lifestyle interventions for adolescents with obesity show minor long-term effects on anthropometric parameters. The persistence of dietary changes after obesity inpatient rehabilitation has not been sufficiently investigated. (2) Objectives: To analyse dietary patterns in German adolescents with obesity as predictors of long-term success following an intensive inpatient lifestyle programme regarding food choices as well as body weight and comorbidities. (3) Methods: Food consumption data of 137 German adolescents with obesity aged 10-17 years were collected by a nutrition interview. Cluster analysis was used to group the participants according to their food consumption. Dietary patterns, changes in body weight and insulin resistance were compared over a 2-year-period. (4) Results: Three dietary patterns were identified. Big Eaters (n = 32) consume high amounts of total sugar and meat, Moderate Eaters (n = 66) have a diet comparable to the national average, and Snackers (n = 39) have a particularly high consumption of total sugar. Big Eaters and Snackers significantly reduced the consumption of total sugar. Among Moderate Eaters, no persistent changes were observed. (5) Conclusion: Weight reduction interventions can induce long-lasting changes in the diet of adolescents with obesity. Therefore, the success of a weight reduction intervention should not be determined by weight reduction only. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adolescent Nutrition and Health)
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11 pages, 328 KiB  
Article
Fast-Food Consumption, Dietary Quality, and Dietary Intake of Adolescents in Saudi Arabia
by Walaa A. Mumena, Amaal A. Ateek, Rawan K. Alamri, Sarah A. Alobaid, Salwa H. Alshallali, Samah Y. Afifi, Ghaida A. Aljohani and Hebah A. Kutbi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15083; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215083 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5867
Abstract
High fast-food consumption is a common public-health concern among adolescents, due to its link to a number of non-communicable diseases. Frequent consumption of fast food may also affect diets of individuals; however, research addressing this issue is lacking in Saudi Arabia. We aimed [...] Read more.
High fast-food consumption is a common public-health concern among adolescents, due to its link to a number of non-communicable diseases. Frequent consumption of fast food may also affect diets of individuals; however, research addressing this issue is lacking in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to investigate the association between fast-food consumption, dietary quality, and dietary intake of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study of 617 healthy adolescents aged 11–18 years, who were recruited randomly from 16 middle- and high-schools located in Jeddah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic data were collected from parents. Dietary data, including the frequency of fast-food consumption, dietary quality (assessed using the short-form food frequency questionnaire), and dietary intake (assessed using multiple 24 h diet recalls from a subsample), were collected from the adolescents. Approximately one-third of adolescents (28.5%) reported frequent fast-food consumption (>two times a week). Results showed that a higher proportion of male adolescents frequently consumed fast-food, compared with female adolescents (32.8% vs. 24.8%, p = 0.039). Adolescents with the highest monthly family-income (≥SAR 21,000 ) reported a significantly higher frequency of fast-food consumption compared with families with a lower monthly income (p = 0.009). Frequency of fast-food consumption predicted lower dietary-quality in adolescents (Beta (B) = −0.27 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.35 to –0.18]) and higher carbohydrate and free-sugar intake (B = 6.93 [95% CI: 0.78 to 13.1], and B = 3.93 [95% CI: 1.48 to 6.38], respectively). In conclusion, nutrition-intervention programs aiming to limit fast-food consumption and enhance the dietary quality of adolescents in Saudi Arabia, are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adolescent Nutrition and Health)
15 pages, 1397 KiB  
Article
The Effects of a Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Body Image Intervention on Girls in Intermediate Schools in Saudi Arabia
by Abeer Ahmad Bahathig and Hazizi Abu Saad
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11314; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811314 - 8 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2233
Abstract
Background: This cluster-randomized study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention focused on physical activity, nutrition, and body image perception among girls in intermediate schools in Saudi Arabia. A seminar was delivered to the mothers of the girls in the experimental group. [...] Read more.
Background: This cluster-randomized study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention focused on physical activity, nutrition, and body image perception among girls in intermediate schools in Saudi Arabia. A seminar was delivered to the mothers of the girls in the experimental group. The experimental group then attended six interactive sessions within 3 months featuring physical activity, nutrition, and body image perception, followed by a 3-month follow-up period. A total of 138 respondents (68 in the experimental group and 70 in the control group) completed the intervention. Each participant’s body mass index-for-age z-score and waist circumference were measured, and they completed a physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body image perception questionnaires before and after the intervention and at the follow-up. The intervention was evaluated using within- and between-groups generalized estimating equations. There were no significant changes in the respondents’ body mass index-for-age z-score or waist circumference (p > 0.05). However, immediate significant improvements were seen in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body image satisfaction among the experimental group, and these improvements remained at follow-up (p < 0.001). These differences were more significant among the experimental group than among the control group. We found this intervention effective. Future studies can adapt this intervention for adolescent boys and extend its duration to improve the body mass index outcome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adolescent Nutrition and Health)
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