Adolescence is a critical time for physical and psychological development. At this life stage optimal nutrition is of the highest importance, yet it is also a time of vulnerability for nutrition and the latest research supports this.
Even more importantly, poor dietary habits established in adolescence can track into adulthood. Promoting positive food-related behaviours among this age group is imperative to reduce the risk of future ill-health. With children and adolescents spending a significant amount of time at school and consuming up to half of their day’s calories, it is the ideal environment to promote healthful dietary behaviours, whilst being inclusive of ethnic and socio-economic status.
Join Lauren Devine as she analyses the key factors which influence adolescents’ dietary choices within the school-setting and identify potential opportunities to facilitate improving adolescents’ dietary behaviours within this environment. You will not only have insight into the importance of targeting adolescents’ dietary behaviours and why the school-setting is an opportune environment to achieve this but also identify strategies which are effective.
What will I learn?
- Understand the key factors which influence adolescents’ dietary choices within the school setting
- Identify opportunities to facilitate improving adolescents’ dietary behaviours
- Apply the knowledge gained to school based dietary interventions and their effectiveness.