Nutrition in Adolescence: Issues and Challenges

Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood with specific physiological, psychological and social features that have a bearing on nutrition problems and intervention strategies. Adolescents are a somewhat neglected group although they are nutritionally vulnerable in many ways, the most plausible reason being that they are relatively healthy compared to younger children.

In urban areas of Bangladesh, adolescents’ nutrition intakes are inadequate. A number of them have anemia and high vitamin A deficiency. Here, maternal mortality rates are particularly high among the youngest adolescents that is 10-14 years of age. Giving birth at young age is one of the major cause of maternal deaths in developing countries like Bangladesh. As adolescents nutrition is a major determinant of the society’s future health, they require specific attention in order for nutrition activities to be congruent with their physiological, psychological and social needs.

Reference:

Delisle, H., & World Health Organization. (2005). Nutrition in adolescence: issues and challenges for the health sector: issues in adolescent health and development.

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/43342/1/9241593660_eng.pdf