Child nutrition and brain development

Adolescence is a phase of important physical, emotional and social transformations, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. Its onset coincides with puberty, characterized by accelerated growth: in girls it usually begins at 9 years of age, and in boys around 11 years of age. This stage ends in both sexes between 18 and 20 years of age, when physical growth concludes. Nutritional needs increase due to this rapid body development and the behavioral changes that occur at this stage, such as changes in sleeping, eating and study habits. This makes adolescence a critical period for nutrition, which requires careful attention from parents, guardians or educators, who are responsible for the overall well-being of adolescents.

Factors that increase the demand for energy and nutrients in adolescence

• Rapid and significant growth of the body.

• Changes in body composition.

• Nutritional needs vary according to the level of physical activity of each adolescent.

Particularities of growth during adolescence

• It is the second and last period of accelerated body growth. Girls start around 9 years of age and boys around 11 years of age. On average, girls grow about 8 cm and boys about 10 cm. Final height is reached between the ages of 18 and 20, while bone mass continues to develop until the age of 25.
• The increase in body mass is also notable, doubling during this stage.
• In addition, there is an increase in blood volume and in the size of internal organs.

• If there are nutritional deficiencies during this period, they can negatively affect height and muscle and bone development.

Changes in body composition during adolescence

During adolescence, the ratio of fat tissue to lean mass changes, differently in both sexes:

• In girls, the increase in fat-free mass is less than in boys, averaging 18 kg between the ages of 9 and 20. In addition, fat tissue increases more in girls than in boys.
• In boys, fat-free mass increases more, with an average of 35 kg between the ages of 10 and 20 years.

These differences influence energy needs, as muscle mass is more metabolically active, which implies that boys need more energy than girls for the same level of physical activity.

What level of physical activity is recommended in adolescence?

The level of physical activity should be adapted to gender and growth spurt. It is recommended that adolescents engage in approximately one hour per day of moderate to vigorous activity, and at least twice per week activities such as:

• Aerobic exercise or yoga, to improve flexibility and bone health.
• Outdoor activities such as walking, swimming, running or cycling.
• Team sports such as basketball, volleyball or handball.
• Muscle strengthening exercises.

Impact of psychosocial maturation on adolescent nutrition

During adolescence, c