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Clinical and Translational Nutrition

Global and Public Health Nutrition
Session Type: Symposium

Teens and Nutrient Deficiencies: A Growing Public Health Crisis

Saturday, July 22, 2023
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Location: Back Bay B-D

CPE for RDs CME

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, learners will be able to:
  • Compare and contrast the causes for micronutrient deficiencies in high-income and low-income countries
  • Describe increased nutrition needs and potential impediments to healthy nutrition in adolescents
  • Discuss potential nutrition intervention strategies for children and adolescents

      • Chair(s)

    • Maureen Black, PhD (she/her/hers)

      Professor and Distinguished Fellow
      University of Maryland and RTI International
      Baltimore, Maryland, United States

      Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

      • Speaker(s)

    • Heather Leidy, PhD

      Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences & Pediatrics
      1Dept. of Nutritional Sciences & Dept. of Pediatrics
      The University of Texas at Austin
      Austin, Texas, United States

      Disclosure(s): BeachBody LLC: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing)
      National Cattlemens Beef Association: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing); Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Speaker/Speaker's Bureau (Ongoing)
      National Pork Board: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing)

    • Ty Beal, PhD

      Research Advisor, Knowledge Leadership
      GAIN
      Phoenix, Arizona, United States

      Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Leslie Kaplan, MD, CEDS (she/her/hers)

      Physician
      Dr. Leslie Kaplan
      Encino, California, United States

      Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    Disclosure(s):
    Maureen M. Black, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
    Heather J. Leidy, PhD: BeachBody LLC: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing)
    National Cattlemens Beef Association: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing); Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Speaker/Speaker's Bureau (Ongoing)
    National Pork Board: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing)
    Ty R. Beal, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
    Leslie Anne Kaplan, MD, CEDS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    Research shows half of children globally have at least one micronutrient deficiency, up to 40% experiencing multiple deficiencies. The gap between recommendations and current intakes is largest for those age 14-18, putting teens at increased risk of nutrient inadequacy. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans note that teen girls have low intakes of protein, iron, magnesium, choline, folate, and vitamins B6 and B12 – creating a constellation of nutritional risks at a time of rapid growth and development. Adolescent nutrient deficiencies can have dire long-term consequences on health and development. Teens also face an unprecedented emotional and mental health crisis, impacted by factors like social media and peer pressures, desire for autonomy, and broader societal uncertainty that can affect dietary choices. This session will review research on these interconnected risks, identify behavioral challenges, and explore science-based solutions for preventing nutrient deficiencies among teens.

    Presentations:

    • 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM ET
      Adolescent Growth and Development: The Underappreciated Life Stage

      Speaker: Leslie Anne Kaplan, MD, CEDS (she/her/hers) – Dr. Leslie Kaplan

    • 2:50 PM – 3:10 PM ET
      The Perfect Storm: Nutritional Risks Among US Adolescents

      Speaker: Heather J. Leidy, PhD – The University of Texas at Austin

    • 3:10 PM – 3:30 PM ET
      Science-based Solutions for Preventing Global Nutrient Deficiencies Among Adolescents

      Speaker: Ty R. Beal, PhD – GAIN

    • 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
      Panel Discussion - Teens and Nutrient Deficiencies: A Growing Public Health Crisis

      Chair: Maureen M. Black, PhD (she/her/hers) – University of Maryland and RTI International

      Speaker: Heather J. Leidy, PhD – The University of Texas at Austin

      Speaker: Ty R. Beal, PhD – GAIN

      Speaker: Leslie Anne Kaplan, MD, CEDS (she/her/hers) – Dr. Leslie Kaplan