Appalachian adolescents' eating patterns and nutrient intakes

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Adolescent Health
• Dietary Patterns

Background:

• Adolescent dietary habits significantly impact long-term health.
• Understanding meal and snack patterns is crucial for addressing nutritional gaps in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the meal and snack patterns of adolescents in a southern Appalachian state.
• To identify nutritional intake and potential deficiencies based on eating occasions.
• To compare nutrient content and food choices between adolescent-prepared and mother-prepared meals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 24-hour food records from 114 males and 111 females.
• Assessment of meal skipping and consumption frequencies.
• Comparison of nutrient intake and food composition based on meal preparer.

Main Results:

• 34% of adolescents skipped breakfast; 27% skipped or had snack-like lunches.
• Evening meals and snacks provided about one-third of daily energy intake.
• Girls showed low intakes of vitamin A, calcium, and iron; boys had low iron and vitamin A at specific meals.
• Adolescent-prepared breakfasts were lower in energy and some nutrients but higher in nutrient density for others.
• Adolescent-prepared evening meals were similar in total nutrients but lower in iron and thiamin density, with less vegetables.

Conclusions:

• Significant meal skipping and nutritional inadequacies exist in this adolescent population.
• Adolescent meal preparation impacts nutrient intake and food choices, with potential implications for overall diet quality.