1. Nutrition in the teenage years
Rebecca Haresign
British Nutrition Foundation

2. Nutrition in the teenage years
Overweight and obesity in teenagers;
Nutrients of concern in teenagers diets;
Addressing the nutrients of concern through the Eatwell Guide.

3. Nutrition in the teenage years
Overweight and obesity in teenagers;
Nutrients of concern in teenagers diets;
Addressing the nutrients of concern through the Eatwell Guide.

4. In the UK, one third of teenagers are overweight or obese

5. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in teenagers
HSE, 2015

6. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in teenagers
HSE, 2015

7. What causes obesity?

8. Current intakes of teenagers in the UK
Recommendation
Are teenagers meeting the recommendations?
Current intakes
Fruit and veg
5 A DAY X
8% achieved the 5 A DAY recommendation
Average intakes portions per day
Oily fish
140g /week
29 g/week
Free sugars
< 5% total dietary energy
15.1% total dietary energy
Fat
< 35% food energy 
33.4% food energy
Saturated fat
< 11% food energy
12.6% food energy
Trans fat
< 2% food energy
0.5% food energy
Fibre (AOAC)
25 g/day
16.2 g/day
Red and processed meat
< 70 g/day
59 g/day

9. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS)
Assesses the diet, nutrient intake and nutritional status of the general population aged 1.5 years and over living in the UK.
The only source of high quality nationally representative data on the types and quantities of foods consumed by individuals, from which estimates of nutrient intake for the UK population are derived.

10. Current intakes of teenagers in the UK
Recommendation
Are teenagers meeting the recommendations?
Current intakes
Fruit and veg
5 A DAY X
8% achieved the 5 A DAY recommendation
Average intakes portions per day
Oily fish
140g /week
29 g/week
Free sugars
< 5% total dietary energy
15.1% total dietary energy
Fat
< 35% food energy 
33.4% food energy
Saturated fat
< 11% food energy
12.6% food energy
Trans fat
< 2% food energy
0.5% food energy
Fibre (AOAC)
25 g/day
16.2 g/day
Red and processed meat
< 70 g/day
59 g/day

11. Nutrition in the teenage years
Overweight and obesity in teenagers;
Nutrients of concern in teenagers diets;
Addressing the nutrients of concern through the Eatwell Guide.

12. It’s not just a matter of eating less

13. Teenagers have low intakes of some essential micronutrients
Percentage of teenagers with average daily intakes of selected vitamins and minerals below LRNI
Males
Females
Vitamin A 14 18
Riboflavin 8 20
Folate 5
Iron 9 48
Calcium 12
19 
Magnesium 27
Potassium 15 33
Iodine 10 26
Selenium 23 44
Zinc 17 22

14. Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI)
The LRNI is the amount of a nutrient that is enough for only a small number of people in a group who have low requirements (2.5%).
The percentage of population with intake of vitamins and minerals below the LRNI is an indicator of inadequate intake.

15. Teenagers have low intakes of some essential micronutrients
Percentage of teenagers with average daily intakes of selected vitamins and minerals below LRNI
Males
Females
Vitamin A 14 18
Riboflavin 8 20
Folate 5
Iron 9 48
Calcium 12
19 
Magnesium 27
Potassium 15 33
Iodine 10 26
Selenium 23 44
Zinc 17 22

16. Teenagers have low intakes of some essential micronutrients
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Releases energy from food. Needed for normal structure and functioning of the skin and body linings.
Iron
Important for making red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.
Calcium
90% of peak bone mass is acquired by the end teenage years.
Zinc
Releases energy from food. Needed for growth and tissue repair.

17. Nutrition in the teenage years
Overweight and obesity in teenagers;
Nutrients of concern in teenagers diets;
Addressing the nutrients of concern through the Eatwell Guide.

18. A healthy diet is balanced and varied

19. https://www. nutrition. org. uk/healthyliving/healthydiet/eatwellvideo

20. The Eatwell Guide 64g/day 59g/day NDNS Years 1& 2 2008/09 – 2011/12
2012/13 – 2013/14

21. What does 70g look like?
© Meat and Education. Images not to be reproduced without permission.

22. The Eatwell Guide

23. Dairy and alternatives
Grated cheddar cheese
Reduced fat grated cheddar cheese
Per 30g serving, which of these do you think provides more calcium?
McCance and Widdowson's the Composition of Foods: Seventh Summary Edition.

24. Nutrients of concern in teenagers diets
Vitamin A
Liver, whole milk, cheese, butter, carrots, dark green leafy veg
Riboflavin
Milk and milk products, eggs, liver, pulses, rice, fortified breakfast cereals
Folate
Green leafy veg, wholegrain products, liver, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals
Iron
Liver, red meat, pulses, nuts, poultry, fish, whole grains, dark green leafy veg
Calcium
Milk and milk products, fortified soya bean products, some green leafy veg
Magnesium
Green leafy vegetables, bread, nuts, fish, meat, milk and milk products
Potassium
Fruit and veg, meat, fish, shellfish, milk and milk products, nuts, seeds, pulses
Iodine
Milk and milk products, sea fish, shellfish, seaweed, iodine-fortified foods
Selenium
Brazil nuts, fish, meat, eggs, bread
Zinc
Meat, milk and milk products, eggs, shellfish, nuts, pulses, wholegrain cereals
Vitamin D
Oily fish, eggs, meat, fortified cereals, spreads

26. Thank you for listening
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