Adolescence: macronutrient needs

Dietary needs during adolescence lack specific definitions, and most eviden ce is derived from indirect indications. The data on dietary needs for ener gy and proteins are mainly extrapolated from subjects in other age-classes. Lipids and carbohydrates are being progressively considered for preventive purposes since the qualitative distribution of saturated and unsaturated f ats and slowly and rapidly absorbed carbohydrates, respectively, seems to b e associated with metabolic index predictors of degenerative disorders in l ater stages of life. The recent results of multicentric autoptic studies in young people from the US indicate that the lipoprotein status of the secon d decade of life is associated with the first raised arterial lesions in th e third decade. The evidence of these links needs further confirmation from ongoing surveys. We must recognize that adolescence is a critical period o f life, and food fads may deeply change the dietary habits acquired within the familiar group. As nutritionists, we may suggest that all adolescents s hould be supplied with nutritional support in terms of education, maybe at school, to improve their knowledge of nutrition.