Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in adolescents

The purpose of this article is to provide an update on promoting healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors in adolescents. In the first part of the article the authors discuss the importance of healthy eating and physical activity during adolescence, present national recommendations and guidelines for diet and activity, and briefly review major nutrition and physical activity concerns of adolescents today. The second part presents a review of diet- and activity-related health promotion and risk reduction factors in a variety of settings and provides recommendations for practitioners. Future research needs are also addressed.