Teen Nutrition Matters – Up to 2x* Key Nutrients Are Required During Growth Spurt Period

Nutritional requirements may increase up to 2x* during adolescence, compared to before puberty. This is due to the greater demand for energy and key nutrients to support the dramatic increase in growth during adolescence.

It is important for teens to consume adequate energy and macronutrients, as well as a comprehensive spectrum of micronutrients. This means having a balanced and varied diet, comprising nutrient-dense foods and beverages. Some key nutrients critical to support growth include:

Muscle building	Protein: Protein helps in tissue building and growth
Bone health	Calcium & Vitamin D: Calcium helps development of strong bones; Vitamin D helps support calcium absorption and improves bone strength
Energy & Immunity	Energy: Adequate energy supports normal growth Vitamin A, Vitamin B1-12, Vitamin C, Iron & Folate: Contribute to the normal function of the immune system

Good nutrition during adolescence may also help to address nutritional deficits that may have accumulated during the first decade of life, and potentially provides another opportunity for catch-up growth#. Since this is also a time when identities, values and attitudes are formed, it offers a unique chance to shape healthy and long-lasting dietary practices to help limit the onset of chronic diseases in adulthood.

Teenagers have busy lives juggling school, co-curricular and social activities. There is also increasing financial independence and a desire for autonomy when making food choices; at the same time, there is a strong tendency to seek acceptance within a peer group and/or increased obsession with body image, which can all influence food intake. Hence, it is not uncommon for adolescents to have poor dietary habits, such as irregular meals and habitually snack on unhealthy foods.

Do Not Miss Out On The Last Growth Spurt Window

Getting your teen to eat healthily doesn't mean asking them to give up on all their favorite foods. It simply means feeding them a variety of foods across food groups and reducing the quantity and frequency of food or beverages high in fat and sugar, such as soft drinks, cookies, cakes and deep-fried food. Some tips to improve dietary habits include:

1. Make breakfast a habit – Skipping breakfast affects energy levels for the rest of the day
2. Make family mealtime a priority – Being the right role model for your teens is the first step to helping them establish healthy eating habits
3. Get teens involved in meal planning to give them a sense of ownership
4. Start small but make progressive changes – Start by making one swap at a time – replacing a nutrient poor choice with nutrient dense food or beverage

Oral nutrition supplements may help adolescents to plug nutritional gaps (e.g. for those with poor appetite), replace unhealthy food or drink options, or support an active lifestyle The ideal supplement for your teen should be tailored to meet the increased needs for key nutrients during the period of accelerated growth. A complete, balanced oral nutritional supplement that supplies a wide range of micronutrients would be more advantageous than conventional beverages which tend to be less nutrient dense.