Development of a Population-Level Dichotomous Indicator of Minimum Dietary Diversity as a Proxy for Micronutrient Adequacy in the United States Adolescents Aged 10-19 Y.

BACKGROUND: Diversity is a key component of diet quality and health, but no indicator exists for adolescents under the age of 15 y. OBJECTIVES: To establish a dichotomous indicator for population-level assessment of adolescent dietary diversity as a proxy for micronutrient adequacy. METHODS: We used the probability approach to construct the mean probability of adequacy (MPA) of 11 micronutrients from 2 d of 24-h dietary recall data from NHANES, 2007-2018. For each micronutrient, the probability of adequacy (PA) was calculated using the best linear unbiased predictor of usual intake. Adolescent dietary diversity score (ADDS) was derived with a maximum score of 10 food groups. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine associations between ADDS and MPA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to establish a cutoff for minimum dietary diversity for adolescents (MDD-A), using an energy-adjusted logistic model with ADDS predicting MPA > 0.6. RESULTS: The PA was >80% for all nutrients except vitamin C (42.1%), folate (65.7%), and calcium (23.8%). Population MPA was 79.4%, and nearly 92% of adolescents had an MPA > 0.6. ADDS was positively associated with MPA, and energy was a significant confounder. The area under the curve was >0.8 on both days with sensitivity and specificity ranging from 0.71 to 0.80. The MDD-A cutoff was calculated as 5.12 and 5.10 food groups on days 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the United States adolescents, the best cutoff for a dichotomous indicator of dietary diversity as a proxy for micronutrient adequacy is 6 food groups in a given day. Future research could validate MDD-A and its associated cutoff for use across country contexts.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree: is there a connection between the body mass indexes of adolescents and their parents?

OBJECTIVES: Adolescent cases suffering from obesity tend to increase in middle-income countries. This study focused on the relationship between adolescent obesity and parents body mass index (BMI) and the variables of satisfaction, diet implementation and sports promotion. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents living in the Mediterranean region (n=522, evaluated n=488). Anthropometric measurements were taken by expert researchers and data were collected using face-to-face survey technique. RESULTS: The average BMI of the adolescents and parents' was found to be above normal values. In adolescents, there was a positive and very good correlation with maternal BMI (r=0.711, p<0.01), a positive and moderate correlation with paternal BMI (r=0.512, p<0.01); In girl adolescents, it was positively and very well with maternal BMI (r=0.731, p<0.01), positively and moderately with father BMI (r=0.549, p<0.01); In boy adolescents, a positive and good correlation was found with maternal BMI (r=0.698, p<0.01), and a positive and moderate correlation with paternal BMI (r=0.459, p<0.01). In the analyzes comparing those who thought obesity threatened them (group 1) and those who did not think it threatened them (group 2), there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of BMI distribution, satisfaction with body weight, diet program implementation, diet recommendation by the family and sports encouragement (p<0, 05). CONCLUSIONS: In a cross-sectional perspective paternal obesity is also significant in adolescents and the correlation with maternal obesity is relatively more effective. Also includes evidence of individual efforts and parental contribution in adolescents who see obesity as a threat.

The Assessment of Nutritional Status of Adolescents Aged 15-18 Years Using BMI Cutoffs and BMI Z Scores: A Secondary Analysis of National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) Data.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate assessment of nutritional status of adolescents as a population group is an important area of focus, considering the age of culminating growth, the size of the age group, the changing nutrition patterns, and as a window of opportunity for corrections before adulthood sets in. Nutritional status is now recognized to be a prime indicator of the health of individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of employing age- and sex-specific reference values (body mass index-for-age Z scores {BAZ} scores) for nutritional assessment in this age group. However, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the major source of data in India for the policymakers, reports the nutritional status of adolescents based on adult body mass index (BMI) cutoffs, which might not be as appropriate as compared to body mass index-for-age Z scores (BAZ) scores. Misclassification of nutrition status has impacts on public health policies, intervention programs, and long-term health outcomes for adolescents. METHODS: This secondary analysis of NFHS-5 data was performed with the objective of estimating the degree of agreement between BMI and BAZ cutoffs in classifying the nutritional status among Indian adolescents. The NFHS-5 data were collected from over 636,000 households across the country. Height and weight were measured for adolescents using standardized instruments. BMI and BAZ scores were derived to assess nutritional status. World Health Organization's classifications were used to categorize nutritional status based on BMI and BAZ scores. The final analysis included data from 109,340 adolescents (13,040 males and 96,300 females) after excluding subjects having BAZ outliers and those whose age was 179 months or less. RESULTS: Substantial discrepancies emerged between the two methods. BMI classifications underestimated nutritional status in almost 30% of adolescents compared to BAZ. Over one-third of normal-weight individuals by BAZ are classified as thin by BMI. Conversely, nearly 78% of obese adolescents by BMI are classified as overweight by BAZ. The agreements between the classifications improved with age and were better among males. CONCLUSION: This analysis highlights the limitations of BMI for assessing adolescent nutritional status and suggests that BAZ offers a more accurate and age-appropriate alternative.

Prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition and overnutrition among ever-married adolescent girls in Bangladesh: an analysis of national surveys from 2004 to 2017.

Nutritional impairment during adolescence may result in adverse physical and reproductive health outcomes. We investigated the prevalence and determined the factors associated with underweight and overweight/obesity among ever-married adolescent girls in Bangladesh. We used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys data conducted in 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, and 2017. A total of 7040 ever-married adolescent girls aged 15-19 years were included in this analysis. Prevalence of underweight (body mass index [BMI]<18.5 kg/m2) significantly decreased from 39.53% (95% CI = 36.71, 42.43) to 23.62% (95% CI = 21.35, 26.05) during 2004-2017 (p < 0.001). However, prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) significantly increased from 5.9% (95% CI = 4.67, 7.43) to 22.71% (95% CI = 20.39, 25.20) during the same period (p < 0.001). The girls with higher age (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90, 0.99, p = 0.023), higher level of education (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.43, 0.83, p = 0.002), and richest wealth quintile (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.62, 0.98, p = 0.035) had significantly lower risk of being underweight. Adolescent girls having more than one child (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.73, p = 0.001) were more likely to be underweight. Elderly adolescents with better economic status were more at risk of being overweight/obese (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.86, 3.55, p < 0.001). Girls married to skilled/unskilled workers (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.44, 0.77, p < 0.001) and persons involved in small businesses (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49, 0.89, p = 0.007) had lower risk of having a high BMI. Using contraceptive (OR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.69, 0.94, p = 0.006) was negatively associated with overweight/obese. Although prevalence of undernutrition among ever-married adolescent girls is declining, the proportion of being overweight/obese is increasing in Bangladesh warranting effective strategies to improve adolescent nutrition.

Avaliação do perfil clínico e nutricional de adolescentes com dismenorreia primária / Assessment of the clinical and nutritional profile of adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea

A dor pélvica em adolescentes, especialmente durante o período menstrual, é frequentemente subestimada como problema de saúde e impacta significativamente a qualidade de vida. Objetivou-se avaliar o perfil clínico e nutricional de adolescentes com dismenorreia. Selecionou-se 40 adolescentes, com idade entre 11 e 19 anos, atendidas em uma clínica escola de São Paulo, bem como pela técnica de snow-ball. Avaliou-se a dor pélvica pelo questionário validado de escala de dor e o consumo alimentar por meio de recordatório alimentar de 24 horas e Questionário de Frequência Alimentar. Todas as participantes tinham estatura adequada para a idade e 72,5% estavam eutróficas. Trinta e cinco pacientes (87,5%) apresentaram dor de moderada a intensa, enquanto cinco (12,5%) tinham dor leve ou inexistente. A prática de atividade física mostrou-se menos comum entre o grupo com dor moderada a intensa (34,3%). Não houve diferença significativa na duração dos ciclos menstruais entre os grupos. Observou-se menor ingestão de cálcio no grupo com dor menstrual de maior intensidade. Ademais, notou-se menor consumo de alimentos 'in natura' e 'processados' no grupo com dor moderada a intensa durante as refeições de almoço e jantar, respectivamente. Identificou-se uma correlação negativa entre o consumo de cálcio e folato e a duração da dor em dias. A amostra estudada sugere que uma dieta balanceada, rica em cálcio, folato e alimentos naturais, pode ser importante no manejo da dismenorreia. Contudo, são necessárias mais pesquisas para compreender plenamente essa relação e desenvolver intervenções efetivas para o tratamento dessa condição comum entre adolescentes.

Pelvic pain in adolescents, especially during the menstrual period, is often underestimated as a health problem and significantly impacts quality of life. The objective was to evaluate the clinical and nutritional profile of adolescents with dysmenorrhea. 40 adolescents were selected, aged between 11 and 19 years old, treated at a teaching clinic in São Paulo, as well as using the snowball technique. Pelvic pain was assessed using a validated pain scale questionnaire and food consumption was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire. All participants had adequate height for their age and 72.5% were eutrophic. Thirty-five patients (87.5%) had moderate to severe pain, while five (12.5%) had mild or no pain. Practicing physical activity was less common among the group with moderate to severe pain (34.3%). There was no significant difference in the length of menstrual cycles between the groups. Lower calcium intake was observed in the group with more intense menstrual pain. Furthermore, there was a lower consumption of 'fresh' and "processed" foods in the group with moderate to severe pain during lunch and dinner meals, respectively. A negative correlation was identified between calcium and folate consumption and the duration of pain in days. The sample studied suggests that a balanced diet, rich in calcium, folate and natural foods, may be important in the management of dysmenorrhea. However, more research is needed to fully understand this relationship and develop effective interventions to treat this common condition among adolescents.

O cuidar do adolescente com obesidade na atenção primária à saúde: perspectivas de gestores e profissionais / The care of obese adolescents in primary health care: perspectives of managers and professionals / Atención a adolescentes con obesidad en atención primaria de salud: perspectivas de gestores y profesionales

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever e explorar, sob a perspectiva de gestores e profissionais de saúde, o cuidado ofertado ao adolescente com obesidade no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: Estudo de caso, realizado em município do estado do Ceará-Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu em 2022, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram examinados através da Análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: O cuidado ao adolescente com obesidade é fragmentado, cada profissional atua conforme decisão própria, pois o município não utiliza protocolos que subsidiem a prática assistencial. Foram elencadas potencialidades para o cuidado, sendo a principal a equipe multiprofissional. Quanto às dificuldades, destacou-se a procura do serviço de saúde pelo adolescente. Conclusão: Faz-se necessária uma (re)organização do modelo de atenção ao adolescente com obesidade no município. Além disso, o estudo ressalta a necessidade de maior atenção a obesidade na adolescência e provoca reflexões acerca do cuidado dispensado a este adolescente.

ABSTRACT Objective: Describe and explore, from the perspective of managers and health professionals, the care offered to adolescents with obesity in the context of Primary Health Care. Method: A case study conducted in a municipality in the state of Ceará-Brazil. Data collection took place in 2022 through semi-structured interviews. The data were examined using Bardin Content Analysis. Results: The care of obese adolescents is fragmented, and each professional acts according to their own decision, as the municipality does not use protocols that subsidize the practice of care. Potentials for care were listed, the main one being the multidisciplinary team. Regarding the difficulties, the adolescent's demand for health services was highlighted. Conclusion: It is necessary to (re) organize the care model for obese adolescents in the municipality. In addition, the study highlights the need for greater attention to adolescent obesity and causes reflections on the care provided to this adolescent.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir y explorar, desde la perspectiva de los gestores y profesionales sanitarios, la atención ofrecida a los adolescentes con obesidad en el ámbito de la Atención Primaria de Salud. Método: Estudio de caso, realizado en un municipio del estado de Ceará-Brasil. Los datos se recogieron en 2022 mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos se analizaron mediante el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: La atención a los adolescentes con obesidad está fragmentada, y cada profesional actúa según su propia decisión, ya que el municipio no utiliza protocolos para subvencionar la práctica asistencial. Se enumeraron las potencialidades asistenciales, siendo la principal el equipo multiprofesional. En cuanto a las dificultades, se destaca la búsqueda del servicio sanitario por parte del adolescente. Conclusión: Es necesario (re)organizar el modelo de atención a los adolescentes con obesidad en el municipio. Además, el estudio pone de manifiesto la necesidad de prestar más atención a la obesidad en la adolescencia y suscita reflexiones sobre la atención prestada a este adolescente.

Food Knowledge, Habits, Practices, and Addiction Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Investigation.

BACKGROUND: Changing lifestyles and food habits have an impact on both nutrient requirements and intake among adolescents. The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, habits, practices, and the presence of food addiction among adolescents residing in Damanhur City. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study design is employed to collect data from 363 adolescents selected conveniently from two youth centers in Damanhur, Egypt. Four tools are used: a demographic questionnaire, the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC), the General Nutritional Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire (GNKQ), and the Yale Food Addiction Scale version 2.0 (YFAS 2.0). RESULTS: The age of the participating adolescents ranges from 10 to 19 years. More than half of the participants (51.8%) reported choosing low-fat foods. Additionally, around one-third of the adolescents (34.7%) meet the diagnostic criteria for food addiction. However, there is no statistically significant association found between food addiction and adolescents' eating habits and practices. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Most of the studied adolescents exhibit unhealthy eating practices. Food addiction is identified as a significant health concern among this population. Therefore, it is highly recommended to provide nutritional education for adolescents and their families and implement school-based strategies to promote healthy eating habits.

Mobilizing adolescents and young women to promote healthy diets in urban settings of Colombia and Vietnam: Lessons from two action-research programs.

Adolescent and young women face grave nutrition challenges, but limited evidence exists on solutions to improve their diets. Action-research was done over 3 years (2020-2022) in secondary cities of Colombia (Medellin) and Vietnam (Thai Nguyen) to identify nutrient deficits in adolescent and young women diets; elaborate food-based recommendations to improve their nutritional status using Optifood linear programming; and engage respondents in incorporating suggested recommendations to their diet using a Social Innovation Challenge approach. A total of 1001 respondents were interviewed in Vietnam, 793 in Colombia. The probability of nutrient inadequacy in both locations was highest for iron and calcium, followed by the risk of deficiency for several other vitamins and minerals. Social Innovation Challenge teams (11 in Vietnam, 9 in Colombia) were created and supported in developing solutions to improve diets and tackle those deficiencies. Awards and resources were transferred to the most promising solutions to enable their implementation. Pre/post measurements of the interventions' impact using the Global Diet Quality Score as outcome metric showed significant improvement in the diets of Challenge participants. After introducing a series of companion articles that offer detailed results on those various steps, this paper draws strategic lessons from an action-research perspective.

Science electives in high school will improve nutrition knowledge but not enough to make accurate decisions.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nutrition knowledge has been reported to have a weak positive effect on healthy eating behavior. This study aimed to determine if there was a difference in nutrition knowledge depending on the choice of science subject in high school and whether that affected the actual eating habits of college students in Japan. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 514 college students, the majority first-year students, in 3 cities in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted on elective subjects in science in high school, diet (11 items), lifestyle (5 items), and nutrition knowledge (34 questions). The preliminary survey was conducted on 47 students in the fall of 2019, and the full-scale survey was conducted in May-June and October-November 2021 at the end of lectures for the first-year students. RESULTS: The students in the high-score group (24-31 points, n = 180) had a higher intake of vegetables (odds ratio [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.82; P = 0.015) and breakfast (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.03-2.60; P = 0.035), and a reduced intake of fast food (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.14-0.51; P < 0.001) than those in the low-score group (6-19 points, n = 150). Only the biology and chemistry students had significantly higher nutrition scores than the other groups (all: P < 0.001), but no significant difference was found between the other groups. Understanding nutrition learned in elementary and junior high school is appropriate, while molecular structure, recommended amount, and food poisoning were insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of nutrition appears to have a positive effect on the actual eating habits of college students. Although biology and chemistry in high school may help students understand the foundations of good nutrition, specialized food education may be required to make informed dietary choices.

Locally relevant food-based recommendations could increase iron and calcium intake for adolescent girls in Vietnam.

Unhealthy eating habits are common among adolescents in Vietnam, where transitioning food environments increasingly offer energy-dense micronutrient-poor foods. Successful behavior change approaches must be feasible and acceptable, promoting local foods that are available, accessible, and preferred. Yet, few studies have investigated the potential of food-based approaches for adolescents. We used linear programming to identify problem nutrients, local nutrient sources, and realistic food-based recommendations (FBRs) to improve nutrient intake among girls 16-22 years in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. We then identified a reduced set of FBRs to prioritize the most critical micronutrient gaps. Calcium and iron targets could not be met in any realistic diet modeling scenario. The best set of FBRs included seven recommendations which could meet intake targets for 9 of 11 modeled micronutrients. The best reduced set of three FBRs targeting iron and calcium only-although more feasible for behavior change-was less effective at improving intake of these nutrients since fewer foods were recommended. Given the difficulty of meeting calcium and iron targets using local foods within acceptable dietary patterns, additional interventions, such as supplementation, staple food fortification, or increasing the availability of affordable calcium- and iron-rich foods, may be necessary to promote dietary adequacy for adolescent girls.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Chatbots for Nutrition and Physical Activity Health Promotion Among Adolescents: Systematic Scoping Review With Adolescent Consultation.

BACKGROUND: Reducing lifestyle risk behaviors among adolescents depends on access to age-appropriate health promotion information. Chatbots-computer programs designed to simulate conversations with human users-have the potential to deliver health information to adolescents to improve their lifestyle behaviors and support behavior change, but research on the feasibility and acceptability of chatbots in the adolescent population is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This systematic scoping review aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of chatbots in nutrition and physical activity interventions among adolescents. A secondary aim is to consult adolescents to identify features of chatbots that are acceptable and feasible. METHODS: We searched 6 electronic databases from March to April 2022 (MEDLINE, Embase, Joanna Briggs Institute, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, the Association for Computing Machinery library, and the IT database Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Peer-reviewed studies were included that were conducted in the adolescent population (10-19 years old) without any chronic disease, except obesity or type 2 diabetes, and assessed chatbots used nutrition or physical activity interventions or both that encouraged individuals to meet dietary or physical activity guidelines and support positive behavior change. Studies were screened by 2 independent reviewers, with any queries resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted into tables and collated in a narrative summary. Gray literature searches were also undertaken. Results of the scoping review were presented to a diverse youth advisory group (N=16, 13-18 years old) to gain insights into this topic beyond what is published in the literature. RESULTS: The search identified 5558 papers, with 5 (0.1%) studies describing 5 chatbots meeting the inclusion criteria. The 5 chatbots were supported by mobile apps using a combination of the following features: personalized feedback, conversational agents, gamification, and monitoring of behavior change. Of the 5 studies, 2 (40.0%) studies focused on nutrition, 2 (40.0%) studies focused on physical activity, and 1 (20.0%) focused on both nutrition and physical activity. Feasibility and acceptability varied across the 5 studies, with usage rates above 50% in 3 (60.0%) studies. In addition, 3 (60.0%) studies reported health-related outcomes, with only 1 (20.0%) study showing promising effects of the intervention. Adolescents presented novel concerns around the use of chatbots in nutrition and physical activity interventions, including ethical concerns and the use of false or misleading information. CONCLUSIONS: Limited research is available on chatbots in adolescent nutrition and physical activity interventions, finding insufficient evidence on the acceptability and feasibility of chatbots in the adolescent population. Similarly, adolescent consultation identified issues in the design features that have not been mentioned in the published literature. Therefore, chatbot codesign with adolescents may help ensure that such technology is feasible and acceptable to an adolescent population.

Burden and contributing factors to overweight and obesity in young adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents has increased globally, including in low- and middle-income countries. Early adolescence provides an opportunity to develop and encourage positive health and behavioural practices, yet it is an understudied age group with limited information to guide and inform appropriate interventions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity in young adolescents, aged between 10 and 14 years attending public schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to explore the contributing factors. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted. Adolescents completed individual questionnaires. Weight (kg) and height (m) measurements were converted to BMI-for-age and gender z-scores. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine the associated factors. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 8% among adolescents aged 10-14 years and it was significantly higher in females (13%) than males (2%). The diet quality for the majority of the adolescents was inadequate, putting them at risk for poor health outcomes. The contributors to overweight/obesity were different between males and females. Age and no access to a flush toilet were negatively associated with overweight/obesity in males and access to a computer, laptop or tablet was positively associated. In females, menarche was positively associated with overweight/obesity. Living with only their mother or another female adult and an increase in physical activity were negatively associated with overweight/obesity. There is a need to improve the diet quality of young adolescents in Ethiopia and understand the reasons why females are less physically active to limit the risk of poor diet-related health outcomes.

Associations between dimensions of empowerment and nutritional status among married adolescent girls in East Africa: a structural equation modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Empowering adolescent girls is an important component of combating malnutrition in this age group. Because empowerment is multidimensional and context specific, it can be difficult for policymakers and practitioners to target the dimensions of empowerment associated with adolescent girls' nutrition in a particular setting. This study sought to identify the empowerment dimensions significantly associated with married adolescent girls' nutritional status in East Africa; a region where malnutrition and gender inequality stubbornly persist. METHODS: We used cross-sectional Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from Ethiopia (2016), Kenya (2014), Tanzania (2015-16) and Uganda (2016) to construct and test theoretically informed structural equation models of the relationship between six dimensions of empowerment and BMI-for-age and haemoglobin levels for married adolescent girls aged 15-19 years. RESULTS: Our models were found to be a good fit for the data. Married adolescent girls' access to information, measured by their education level and mass media use, was directly and positively associated with their BMI-for-age (p < 0.05). Asset ownership, measured by owning a house or land alone or jointly, was directly and positively associated with haemoglobin (p < 0.05) and reduced odds of being moderately to severely anemic. Rejecting justifications for intimate partner violence, a measure of respondents' intrinsic agency, was directly and positively associated with the odds of being overweight or obese. Adolescent girls' level of empowerment across all dimensions had a direct relationship with their country of residence and household wealth. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that investment in girls' access to information through education and mass/social media and their economic empowerment may be important contributors to their overall empowerment and nutritional status. However, caution is needed as greater autonomy may contribute to increased consumption of unhealthy foods that can contribute to overweight and obesity. Strategies to empower married adolescent girls should be tailored to their specific circumstances. There is an urgent need for better data on adolescent empowerment and health, including increased research into age-, sex- and gender-appropriate empowerment measures and longitudinal data to assess causality. The use of statistical models should be complemented by robust qualitative research to further results interpretation.

The Ultra-Processed Food Content of School Meals and Packed Lunches in the United Kingdom.

British children have the highest levels of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in Europe. Schools are posited as a positive setting for impacting dietary intake, but the level of UPFs consumed in schools is currently unknown. This study determined the UPF content of school food in the UK. We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis of primary (4-11 years, n = 1895) and secondary schoolchildren (11-18 years, n = 1408) from the UK's National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017). Multivariable quantile regression models determined the association between meal-type (school meal or packed lunch) and lunchtime UPF intake (NOVA food classification system). We showed that on average, UPF intake was high in both primary (72.6% total lunch Kcal) and secondary schoolchildren (77.8% total lunch Kcal). Higher UPF intakes were observed in packed lunch consumers, secondary schoolchildren, and those in lower income households. This study highlights the need for a renewed focus on school food. Better guidance and policies that consider levels of industrial processing in food served in schools are needed to ensure the dual benefit of encouraging school meal uptake and equitably improving children's diets.

Methodologies for Monitoring the Digital Marketing of Foods and Beverages Aimed at Infants, Children, and Adolescents (ICA): A Scoping Review.

While television has been the most widely used medium for food and beverage marketing, companies are shifting in favor of digital media. The ubiquitous digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes (BMS) and foods and beverages high in saturated fat, salt, and/or free sugars (FBHFSS) has been considered a powerful environmental determinant of inadequate dietary practices during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. The scoping review's aim was to systematically identify and map the types of methodologies available to monitor the digital marketing of foods and beverages targeting infants, children, and adolescents (ICA) worldwide. Research evidence published from 2011 to October 2021 was examined using search strategies including multiple databases and citation tracking. A total of 420 sources were evaluated, and 28 studies from 81 countries meeting the inclusion criteria were retained. Most of the studies (n = 24) documenting methodologies to monitor inappropriate digital marketing were published since 2015 and were primarily aimed at identifying the promotional techniques and nutritional content of FBHFSS targeting adolescents (n = 13). It is paramount to develop a feasible and scalable monitoring system to develop effective policies to protect parents and ICA from BMS and FBHSFF digital marketing.

Evidence-Based Nutrition Interventions Improved Adolescents' Knowledge and Behaviors in Indonesia.

Adolescence is a nutritionally vulnerable and critical life stage. However, few programs and policies focus on improving adolescent nutrition in Indonesia. To address this gap, we implemented a gender-responsive package of interventions: (1) breakfast and weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFS), (2) a school-based nutrition education program, and (3) a social behavior change communication strategy. We surveyed 514 adolescents at baseline (2019) and endline (2020) in Klaten and Lombok Barat districts in Indonesia. The survey included a knowledge assessment on nutrition, as well as indicators of attitudes and behaviors on diet, physical activity, and WIFS. We employed multivariable linear and logistic regression to test for pre-post intervention differences. Overall knowledge was significantly higher post-intervention (ß: 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6, 3.9). Diet diversity was high at both timepoints, however, at post-intervention there was significantly higher odds of consuming vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.0) and lower odds of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.5). Post-intervention, there was higher odds of reporting 60 min of daily physical activity (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.2) and WIFS among girls (OR: 6.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 30.9). The package of interventions may be a promising first step to improving adolescent nutrition in Indonesia.

Dietary quality of school meals and packed lunches: a national study of primary and secondary schoolchildren in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: School lunches represent a key opportunity to improve diets and health of schoolchildren. No recent nationally representative studies have examined the nutritional differences between school meals and packed lunches in the UK. This study aimed to characterise and compare the nutritional quality of school meals and packed lunches among primary and secondary school-age children. DESIGN: A pooled cross-sectional analysis of the UK's National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017). SETTING: United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 3001 children (aged 4-16 years) who completed a 3/4-d food diary which recorded meal type (school meal/packed lunch). Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations of meeting food and nutrient recommendations by meal type. Analyses were stratified by academic key stages (KS). RESULTS: KS-1 (4-7 years) and 2 (8-11 years) children consuming school meals were more likely to meet minimum recommendations for vegetables, protein-rich foods and fibre, and not exceed maximum recommendations for salt, savoury and sweet snacks compared with pupils consuming packed lunches. However, in KS-3 (12-14 years) and 4 (14-16 years), these effects were reduced. As children aged, the median weight of fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods and dairy products consumed typically decreased for both school meals and packed lunches, and generally an increasing proportion of school meals contained sweet and savoury snacks. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest school meals are nutritionally superior to packed lunches but are not yet optimal. Quality declined at higher KS. Actions to improve lunches of primary and secondary schoolchildren across the UK are needed, with attention to KS-3 and 4 in secondary schools.

Adolescents' dietary behaviour: The interplay between home and school food environments.

In the UK, school food standards have looked to improve the nutritional profile of school food provision and the choices made; however, adolescents' choices tend to bias towards micronutrient poor and energy dense options. This study aimed to explore how adolescents make their school food choices, along with how they engage with their environments whilst selecting food. Seven focus group interviews took place with adolescents (n = 28; 13-14 years) in a secondary school in Northern England. Discussions with participants were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and then analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Six themes emerged from the data: (1) parents' and adolescents' roles in the home food environment, (2) burgeoning food autonomy, (3) school food choice factors, (4) social aspects of school food, (5) home versus school, (6) food knowledge & beliefs. Adolescents identified two distinct environments during the focus group discussions: the home and school environments. Adolescents juxtaposed the two, in terms of food provision, food choices, rules and customs surrounding food choice. This juxtaposition emerged as an indirect but important influence on adolescents' school food choices. The school and home environments both (in)directly influence adolescents' school food choices, which involve an integration of multiple, often conflicting influences. Adolescents may adopt a number of unhelpful dietary rationalisations as they try to manage and reconcile these influences. Consultation, together with consideration of relevant food choice models, is required to identify opportunities to influence adolescents' food choices at school.

Considerations for health and food choice in adolescents.

The aim of this review is to summarise the common barriers and motivations for healthy food choice among adolescents, with a specific focus on the Irish context where available. It will also discuss other concerns adolescents have, which may influence their food choices and eating habits. Adolescence represents a period of rapid physical, mental and social development, and many health-related habits developed during adolescence tend to persist into adulthood, making the teenage years an optimal time to encourage healthy eating and health-promoting behaviours. Adolescents are concerned about the health impact of their diet, but their understanding of health is often seen in the context of their physical appearance or body image. Body image concerns are prevalent in adolescents, and this can affect their food choices. Taste, price and convenience are commonly noted factors influencing adolescents' food choices, and as they grow, their level of independence increases and spending more time with their peers means that social desirability and social norms about food become increasingly important factors in adolescent food choice. However, their limited autonomy means their supporting food environment also plays an important role. When developing more targeted interventions in adolescent populations, information on adolescent nutrition needs, their concerns for health and body image, and the barriers and motivations for healthy eating and food choice should be considered. Such a holistic approach should help support healthy eating and the prevention of overweight and obesity in the population, whilst also supporting a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.

Multiple-micronutrient supplementation in pregnant adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

CONTEXT: Approximately 7.3 million births occur annually among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Pregnant adolescents constitute a nutritionally vulnerable group that could benefit from intervention to mitigate the mortality and adverse birth outcomes associated with adolescent pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the following: (1) the effect of multiple-micronutrient (MMN) supplementation vs iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation among adolescents on maternal morbidity, birth outcomes, and mortality outcomes, (2) the effects of MMN supplementation in adolescents compared with the effects in adult women, and (3) the effect modification, if any, of MMN supplementation by baseline and geographic characteristics of adolescents. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched, along with the reference lists of relevant reviews. STUDY SELECTION: Multiple-micronutrient supplementation trials in pregnancy that were conducted in a low- or middle-income country and had included at least 100 adolescents (10-19 years of age) were eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility. DATA EXTRACTION: Thirteen randomized controlled trials conducted in Africa and Asia were identified from 1792 reviews and 1578 original trials. Individual-level data was shared by study collaborators and was checked for completeness and extreme values. One- and two-stage individual participant data meta-analyses were conducted using data from randomized controlled trials of MMN supplementation. RESULTS: A total of 15 283 adolescents and 44 499 adult women with singleton births were included in the individual participant data meta-analyses of MMN supplementation vs IFA supplementation. In adolescents, MMN supplementation reduced low birth weight (1-stage OR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.77-0.97; 2-stage OR = 0.81; 95%CI 0.74-0.88), preterm birth (1-stage OR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.98; 2-stage OR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.79-0.95), and small-for-gestational-age births (1-stage OR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.81-1.00; 2-stage OR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.79-0.95) when compared with IFA supplementation. The effects of MMN supplementation did not differ between adolescents and older women, although a potentially greater reduction in small-for-gestational-age births was observed among adolescents. Effect modification by baseline characteristics and geographic region was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple-micronutrient supplementation can improve birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Policy related to antenatal care in these settings should prioritize MMN supplementation over the currently recommended IFA supplementation for all pregnant women, especially adolescents.