Strategies and interventions for healthy adolescent growth, nutrition and development

By:
Dougal Hargreaves, Emily Mates, Purnima Menon, Harold Alderman, Delan Devakumar, Wafai Fawzi, Geva Greenfield, Weeam Hammoudeh, Shan Shan He, Anwesha Lahiri, Zheng Liu, Phuong Nguyen, Vani Sethi, Haijun Wang, Lynette Neufeld, George Patton
Date:
2022

This paper argues that adolescent nutrition has been largely neglected despite simultaneous burdens of micronutrient deficiencies, food insecurity, and rapidly rising overweight/obesity. It calls for multifaceted, multisectoral actions spanning education, health, food systems, social protection and digital media, with stronger data systems and standardization. It highlights schools as key platforms (e.g., healthy food environments, WIFA for girls) but stresses reaching out-of-school adolescents and partnering intergenerationally with youth to co-create solutions.