Proper nutrition is important at any age, but in adolescence it is especially important, as a new study by researchers at Louisiana State University published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals. The effect of nutrition at this age is so influential that it may determine a person's health at a later age. We used Forefront to summarize the conclusions.
The researchers analyzed data from 192 teens ages 10 to 16 who participated in a follow-up study by TIGER Kids in Louisiana. Participants provided complete information about their diet and underwent medical evaluations at baseline and for a follow-up period of two years. Results showed that poor compliance with dietary guidelines was associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, such as higher BMI, higher blood pressure, and cholesterol accumulation.
These data are critical, because they show how unhealthy eating habits during the teenage years can persist and negatively impact long-term health. Teens with insufficient fruit/vegetable intake, or excess calories from fat/sugar, are not only at immediate risk, but also long-term, if dietary behaviors do not improve. Conditions such as heart disease, stroke and, of course, diabetes, which develop over decades, usually stem from dietary habits during childhood and adolescence.
The scientists say the study shows a frighteningly high level of importance in caring for young people's diets, with a focus on encouraging the consumption of whole foods, which are loaded with nutrients and processed as little as possible. They say that providing nutritional knowledge is not enough, and programs are needed to address the factors that prevent healthy choices. New strategies could include making fruits and vegetables more available and accessible, improving school lunch options, increasing community support for physical activity, and educating on convenient preparation for a balanced meal.
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