FSAI Publishes First Scientific Dietary Recommendations For Adolescents In Ireland

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has today published a scientific report outlining food-based dietary guideline recommendations for adolescents aged 9–18 living in Ireland. This is the first scientific report to set out specific food-based dietary recommendations for this age group. Nutritional needs during adolescence can vary considerably, depending not only on age and sex, but also on body size, physical activity and the timing of puberty. Developed by the FSAI Scientific Committee, the recommendations take account of these differences to provide a scientific basis for supporting healthy growth and development during this important stage of life.

Mr Greg Dempsey, (Chief Executive of FSAI), said the recommendations are an important step in ensuring that dietary guidance reflects the particular nutritional needs of adolescents.
“This report is the first to set out specific food-based dietary recommendations for adolescents living in Ireland. The dramatic transition from childhood to adulthood requires very high nutrient intakes to ensure that adolescents reach their full potential as adults, both physically, for example in terms of height, and cognitively. These food-based recommendations from our Scientific Committee reflect the most current scientific understanding of nutritional issues affecting this age group. Based on recent dietary surveys, the recommendations align with current adolescent food habits in Ireland and also consider environmental sustainability.”

According to Professor Kevin Cashman, who was Chair of the FSAI Public Health Nutrition Subcommittee when this report was developed, adolescence is a life stage when nutritional requirements are particularly high.
“Adolescence is a key developmental window of opportunity for nutrition. During this time, children lay down 40% of their bone mass, protecting them from osteoporosis in later life. In addition, they gain 50% of their adult weight and 20% of their adult height. It is important to note that there is a significant variation in nutritional needs among adolescents, including those of the same age. These differences relate to body size, for example tall versus small; physical activity levels, from sedentary to very active; and maturational timing, such as adolescents who are early versus late developers.”

The food-based recommendations in the scientific report are designed to be flexible and to show how food choices can be adjusted to meet these different nutritional needs. In this way, the food-based dietary guidelines support optimal growth and development across the full spectrum of adolescent requirements.

Key recommendations from the report include:-

Adolescents have high energy requirements: Food requirements can be substantial during adolescence, with 15% of the dietary patterns modelled exceeding 3,000 kilocalories per day.
Food needs to vary between adolescents: Recommendations should take account of age, sex, body size and physical activity, recognising that two adolescents of the same age may have very different nutritional requirements.
Carbohydrate foods (cereals and breads, potatoes, pasta, and rice) are the most important food group for fuelling physical activity (providing calories), with average requirements ranging from 6 to 10 servings and requirements reaching up to 13 servings for some adolescents.
Four to five servings per day from the milk, yogurt and cheese food group fulfil calcium requirements. Four servings per day are recommended for sedentary to low active adolescents, while five servings per day are recommended for moderately active to very active adolescents. However, adolescents with very high calorie requirements (e.g. very physically active) may require more from this group to meet their energy needs.
In general, plant-based dairy replacement foods and beverages are not recommended due to their nutritional composition and the need for addition of calcium and other micronutrients. Where plant-based dairy alternatives are required, a calcium-fortified soya beverage represents the best choice for males, and calcium- and iodine-fortified brands represent the best choice for females.
Protein requirements were easily achieved, despite the reduction in the amounts and frequency of meat consumption. Protein powders, shakes and supplementary drinks were unnecessary to meet protein goals.
Including oily fish once a week is recommended to help improve intake of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which can otherwise be difficult to achieve.
The modelling showed that sugar and saturated fat intakes can be reduced to recommended levels, while healthier choices of foods such as yogurts, breakfast cereals and discretionary foods can help reduce saturated fat, sugar and salt intake.
Adolescents and their caregivers should use nutrition labelling when choosing foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurts, helping them identify options that meet healthier choice criteria.
All adolescents should continue to take a vitamin D food supplement – amount required is dependent on the individual’s age and ethnicity, and the time of year.
All women of childbearing age, including adolescents, who can become pregnant should take a 400 µg folic acid supplement every day.
A minimal intake of foods high in sugar, saturated fat and salt (such as preserves, confectionery, biscuits and crisps) may be included to meet higher energy requirements of some adolescents. This report highlights better choices (lower in fat, sugar and salt) of these discretionary foods.