Nutrition in adolescent growth and development

Norris, Shane A.; Frongillo, Edward A.; Black, Maureen M.; Dong, Yanhui; Fall, Caroline; Lampl, Michelle; Liese, Angela D.; Naguib, Mariam; Prentice, Ann; Rochat, Tamsen; Stephensen, Charles B.; Tinago, Chiwoneso B.; Ward, Kate; Wrottesley, Stephanie V; Patton, George C

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01590-7

Cited by 203 publications

(208 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Given the demonstrated associations between physical growth, anemia, and learning outcomes during adolescence, investments in nutrition and human capital should cover late childhood and adolescence in addition to the first 1000 d. The recent Lancet series on adolescent health highlights the roles of nutrition in late childhood and early adolescence on the timing and pattern of puberty, physical growth, neurodevelopment, immunity, and risk of noncommunicable diseases in later life ( 63 ). The series also calls for multifaceted actions at local and national levels across sectors (education, health, food systems, social protection, and digital media) and tailoring of nutrition interventions to local contexts ( 64 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India

Nguyen

Walia²,

Pant³

et al. 2022

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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Background Anemia and poor physical growth during adolescence have far-ranging consequences, but limited longitudinal evidence exists on how changes in these factors relate to changes in learning skills as adolescents mature. Objectives We examined the association between changes in anemia and physical growth during adolescence and learning outcomes. Methods We used longitudinal data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA) project, which surveyed adolescents aged 10–19 years in northern India in 2015–16 and 2018–19 (n = 5963). We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models to examine associations between changes in anemia/thinness/stunting status (four groups: never, improved, new, and persistent) and reading (ability to read a story) and math proficiency (ability to solve division problems) at follow-up. Results Persistent anemia and stunting were higher among girls than boys (46% vs.8% and 37% vs. 14%, respectively), but persistent thinness was lower (7% vs. 16%). Improvement in anemia, thinness and stunting was 1.4–1.7 times higher among boys than girls. Boys who were anemic in both waves were 74% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI)]: 0.12,0.59) and 65% (AOR 0.35, 95%CI: 0.16,0.76) less likely to be able to read a story and solve division problems, respectively, compared to boys who were non-anemic in both waves. Persistent thinness in boys was negatively associated with both reading (AOR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21,0.66) and math proficiency (AOR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.16,0.46). Persistent stunting contributed to lower reading and math proficiency in boys and girls (AORs: 0.29 to 0.46). Boys whose anemia or thinness status improved and girls whose stunting status improved had similar learning skills at follow-up as those who were never anemic/thin/stunted. Conclusions Persistent anemia, thinness and short stature during adolescence was associated with poor learning. Programs targeted at adolescents should contribute to nurturing environments that foster healthy growth and learning.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India

Nguyen

Walia²,

Pant³

et al. 2022

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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“…Not surprisingly, overweight and obesity have grown increasingly prevalent among African school children, especially those attending urban and/or private schools ( 27 , 28 ). The establishment of healthy eating habits among children and adolescents is imperative for reducing their risk of non-communicable diseases in later years ( 29 ), and school meal programs could play a role in this realm ( 10 ). Nevertheless, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, and fruits were served in just 37, 31, and 19% of programs, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

School Meal Programs in Africa: Regional Results From the 2019 Global Survey of School Meal Programs

Wineman

Ekwueme

Bigayimpunzi³

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionSchool meal programs operate throughout Africa, serving as a social safety net and aiming to improve children's nutrition, influence their dietary choices, and strengthen the agrifood economy through local procurement. Despite their rapid expansion in the past decade, there has been no systematic effort to comprehensively document school feeding activities across the continent.MethodsDetailed information on school feeding activities in each country was captured in the Global Survey of School Meal Programs©, which launched in 2019. An invitation to participate was extended to each government, which appointed a national-level respondent to gather information on every large-scale school meal program in the country.ResultsForty-one countries in Africa (38 in sub-Saharan Africa) responded to the survey in 2019 with information on 68 large-scale programs that together reached 60.1 million children. Across these countries, the aggregate school feeding budget was USD 1.3 billion. Diversity in school meal programs is evident across regions, country income levels, and levels of national commitment. Coverage rates tended to be highest in southern Africa, in countries with school feeding as a line item in the national budget, and in countries with the greatest domestic share of the school feeding budget. Diversity in the school menu tended to be greatest in programs that sourced food through domestic purchase rather than relying on foreign in-kind donations. To address micronutrient malnutrition, about two-thirds of the programs served fortified foods, and one-quarter included micronutrient supplements. Even as rates of overweight/obesity are rising among African school children, just 10% of school meal programs identified its prevention as an objective.ConclusionThe extent to which school meal programs in Africa are supported with domestic funding reflects a dramatic shift in favor of national ownership and domestic food procurement. At the same time, programs have grappled with inadequate and unpredictable budgets and challenges related to supply chains and logistics—impediments that need to be addressed if these programs are to achieve their objectives. Overall, the survey results underscore the important position of school meal programs within African food systems and their potential (if well-designed) to sustainably improve food security, child health, and nutrition.

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“…Similarly, the need for the macro- and micronutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron are significantly different than both childhood and adulthood [ 119 ]. Although childhood nutritional status impacts the onset of puberty, adiposity, and linear growth, nutrition during the adolescence period impacts body composition, immune system development, and neurodevelopment [ 124 ].…”

Section: An Overview Of Adolescent Health and Nutrition Among Low- An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s health: optimal nutrition throughout the lifecycle

et al. 2022

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Sex differences are an important consideration when researching and establishing policies for nutrition and optimal health. For women’s health, there are important physiologic, neurologic, and hormonal distinctions throughout the lifecycle that impact nutritional needs. Distinct from those for men, these nutritional needs must be translated into appropriate nutrition policy that aims to not only avoid overt nutritional deficiency, but also to promote health and minimize risk for chronic disease. Through a series of webinars, scientific experts discussed the advances in the understanding of the unique nutritional needs, challenges and opportunities of the various life stages for women across the life course and identified emerging nutritional interventions that may be beneficial for women. Nevertheless, there is concern that existing nutrition policy intended for women’s health is falling short with examples of programs that are focused more on delivering calories than achieving optimal nutrition. To be locally effective, targeted nutrition needs to offer different proposals for different cultural, socio-economic, and geographic communities, and needs to be applicable at all stages of growth and development. There must be adequate access to nutritious foods, and the information to understand and implement proven nutritional opportunities. Experts provided recommendations for improvement of current entitlement programs that will address accessibility and other social and environmental issues to support women properly throughout the lifecycle.

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Nutrition in adolescent growth and development

Cited by 203 publications

References 95 publications

Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India

Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India

School Meal Programs in Africa: Regional Results From the 2019 Global Survey of School Meal Programs

Women’s health: optimal nutrition throughout the lifecycle

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