Adolescent health and nutrition

Adolescence is the bridge between childhood and adulthood. For examination purposes, the most used age definition is 10-19 years, while youth is often used for 15-24 years and young people for 10-24 years. The important point is that adolescent health is not limited to disease treatment. It includes growth, nutrition, mental well-being, reproductive maturity, safety, behaviour and preparation for adult responsibilities. In a Mahila Supervisor paper, adolescence is relevant because ICDS, Anganwadi services and women and child development programmes use a life-cycle approach: a well-nourished adolescent girl is more likely to become a healthy mother and reduce inter-generational malnutrition.

The stage is usually divided into early adolescence, roughly 10-14 years, and late adolescence, roughly 15-19 years. Early adolescence is associated with puberty, faster growth and body-image concerns. Late adolescence brings more independent decision-making, peer influence, vocational concerns and greater exposure to risk behaviours. Girls need special attention because menstruation increases iron requirement, early marriage and early pregnancy raise health risks, and gender norms may reduce access to food, schooling, mobility and health services.

Exam takeaway: remember adolescence as 10-19 years and as a life-cycle link between child nutrition, maternal health and social empowerment.