Adolescent nutrition: what do pediatricians do?

Abstract

Multiple psychosocial problems and many chronic diseases of adulthood can be influenced by adolescent nutritional problems. In Korea, adolescent obesity and obesity related health risks have been increased and insufficient intakes of nutrients, such as calcium, iron and potassium, and distorted thinking about obesity are also common. However there are no comprehensive countermeasure because of the excessive burden of studies and the lack of community interest. And the nutrition guidelines that is suitable for Korean adolescent leaves something to be desired, and the pediatrician's concern is lacking yet. In the Korean dietary reference intakes 2010 that was revised according to the 2007 Korean National Growth Chart and 2007 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the range for adolescents is changed to the age 12-18 and dietary reference intakes of some nutrients mainly with vitamin D is changed. Recently several researches, about how school nutrition policies and media effect on eating habits and the weight concerns, and influences of public nutrition policies and fast food commercials have been actively studied to improve adolescent nutritive conditions. In this review, I summarize the dietary reference intakes for Korean adolescents that were revised in 2010, and current studies about the adolescent nutrition.

Risk factors for low vitamin D status in Korean adolescents: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2009

“…In strong contrast to these recommendations, the Korean Nutrition Society lowered the DRI to 5 mg/d in 2010 (14) , based on a small amount of evidence about the effect of vitamin D on health outcomes in Korean adolescents and the assumption that exposure to sunlight guarantees sufficient vitamin D status. However, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency raises the question of whether daylight outdoor hours and/or the current 2010 DRI of vitamin D are enough to maintain a sufficient vitamin D status in Korean adolescents.…”

“…This 'yes' group was subcategorized into two groups according to the amount of supplementation: (14) . Ca intake levels were categorized into two groups: $DRI and ,DRI.…”

“…The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of vitamin D for Korean children and adolescents was lowered from 10 mg/d in 2005 to 5 mg/d in 2010 (14) , under the assumption that sunlight exposure could satisfy their vitamin D needs. The purposes of the present study were to: (i) evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korean adolescents aged 12-18 years based on the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) in 2008-2009; and (ii) investigate the risk factors leading to low vitamin D status in Korean adolescents living between latitudes 338 and 398N.…”

Improvement in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Iron Deficiency Anaemia among Iron-Deficient Female Adolescents after Nutritional Educational Intervention

“…Individuals who had better nutrition knowledge had a more positive attitude towards eating healthier foods (Garcia-Lascurain, Kicklighter, Jonnalagadda, Boudolf, & Duchon, 2006;Heaney, O'Connor, Michael, Gifford, & Naughton, 2011). Conversely, poor knowledge is one of the risk factors to develop malnutrition (Ryoo, 2011).…”

Effects of iron supplementation and nutrition education on haemoglobin, ferritin and oxidative stress in iron-deficient female adolescents in Palestine: randomized control trial

“…Nutrition knowledge is therefore an essential basis for good dietary habits (7,8). Conversely, a lack of knowledge is a risk factor for malnutrition (9). Nutrition education programmes are needed to increase awareness in female adolescents about anaemia (10).…”