Subway brings back honey oat bread and creamy sriracha sauce
Adolescence, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is a period of rapid physiological, sexual, neurological, and behavioural growth, and it lays the foundation for adopting adult roles and responsibilities.
As quoted by UNICEF, “Adolescence is a nutritionally vulnerable time when rapid physical growth increases nutrient demands. Dietary behaviours established in adolescence may contribute to nutrition-related problems that have consequences for long-term health.”
In a country like India where adolescents and young people account for nearly one quarter of the total population, improving food habits for adolescents to reduce the prevalence of life-long health problems becomes extremely important.
Keeping in mind adolescent’s nutrition requirements in our country, the government and the food industry are taking initiatives by launching many new schemes and products. Let’s get up close and find out more.
In recent years, nutrition transition has brought about rapid changes in the structure of the Indian diet. The evolution of ultra-processed foods and fast-foods has drastically increased with the boom in the food processing and packaging industry. The replacement of traditional home-cooked meals with ready-to-eat, processed foods has contributed to an increased risk of chronic diseases in urban Indians. Henceforth, improving the nutrition of Indians by promoting healthy food lifestyle in early life and adolescents can help to reduce major health risks.
Sharing his insights, Angshu Mallick, Managing Director and CEO, Adani Wilmar said, “The changing lifestyles in India have led to a dual burden of malnutrition where underweight/under-nutrition and overweight/obesity are now both prevalent. Healthy, balanced and varied diet is essential for all age groups. Studies have shown that maternal and early life nutrition also significantly affect the risk of chronic diseases which may start manifesting as early as adolescence. Since adolescence is a period of rapid growth, the nutrition requirements reflect that. Suboptimal food choices in adolescence will impact both growth outcomes and increase risk of lifestyle diseases later in life.”
However, not much attention has been paid to adolescent’s nutrition in our country. These issues call for strategies and interventions. But, one question still remains – ’In the light of the increasing prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases, what actions should be taken to enable adolescents to eat more healthily?’
Addressing nutritional needs
India, among other countries, has been focussing on nutrition initiatives focused on children and women, and invariably neglecting adolescents. Perhaps, addressing the nutrition needs of adolescents could be an important step towards breaking the vicious cycle of intergenerational malnutrition and chronic diseases.
As suggested by the WHO, some of the strategies for improving adolescent nutrition include: food-based strategies like dietary diversification and food fortification; ensuring adequate nutrition at household level; addressing behaviour modification to bring about dietary change in adolescents; using a social marketing approach; mobilising families and communities; control of micronutrient deficiencies; regular nutrition assessment and counselling of adolescents; care of adolescents during pregnancy and postnatal period; intersectoral linkages at community level and building linkages with adolescent friendly health services.
Food innovation
Sharing her views Dr Seema Puri, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, revealed, “Today’s adolescent is exposed to a wide variety of cuisines and hence providing just dal-roti-sabzi meals at home may not be acceptable. So, menus have to evolve incorporating regional/global cuisines. Even traditional fried, rich food can be made in a healthier manner using air frying/steaming/baking etc. Give them interesting choices: this is where food innovation comes in even at the home level.”
Dr Seema added, “Hence promotion of consumption of a variety of foods is important. This can be done by inculcating good eating habits from a young age, making vegetables, millets etc. interesting to eat, ascribing a status or a ‘fun’ or aspirational value to such foods e.g., ragi cake may not find many takers but nutri choco-muffin may be more aspirational.
Catering to this line of thinking, the food industry is stepping up with new food innovations for early life and adolescents. The Himalaya Drug Company, India’s leading homegrown wellness brand, recently announced the launch of Quista kidz, a tasty, nutritional supplement formulated for children that aids in active growth, building strong immunity, and supporting smart memory in children. Fortified with 100 per cent milk protein, minerals, and vitamins, Quista kidz is a unique blend that brings together the benefit of both worlds, scientific research along with time-tested traditional ingredients.
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