Nutrition in adolescent growth and development

Abstract

Background. Adolescence is a nutritionally sensitive phase for growth, where the advantages of healthy nutrition extend to many other physiological systems. In the teenage years, growth and development are transformative and have major implications for an individual’s health during later life as well as for the health of any prospective children. Objective of the study. to assess and analyze the formative role of nutrition in the timing and pattern of growth and development in adolescence. Material and methods. The research includes analysis of bibliographic sources identified in PubMed, NCBI, Research Gate, Medline, between the period 2014-2024. Results. The present teen generation is growing up in a period of unprecedented change in food environments, where the nutritional problems of micronutrient deficiency and food insecurity persist, and overweight and obesity are on the increase. Iron deficiency in adolescents results in compromised growth, decreased cognitive function and decreased immune function. The onset and duration of puberty differ significantly between adolescents living in environments with varying childhood nutrition. Malnutrition in adolescents is multifactorial, in that if one physiological system is impaired, the development of other systems will also be compromised. Conclusion. Nutritional factors play a vital role in the timing and pattern of puberty, with consequences for linear growth in adulthood, body composition, fat mass accumulation, maturation of other physiological systems, and risk of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Nutritional effects in adolescent development extend beyond musculoskeletal growth to cardiorespiratory capacity, neurological development and immunity.