Search

To inform programmes and policies that promote health equity, it is essential to monitor the distribution of nutritional problems among young individuals. Common nutritional problems include overall low diet quality, the underconsumption and overconsumption of certain dietary components, unhealthy meal and snack patterns, problematic feeding practices and disordered eating. The objective of the present narrative review was to summarise recent evidence of disparities among US children (2–19 years) according to age, sex, socio-economic status, ethnicity/race and rural–urban location. Searches in PubMed® and MEDLINE® were completed to identify peer-reviewed research studies published between January 2009 and January 2019. Findings from the ninety-nine reviewed studies indicate adolescent females, young individuals from lower socio-economic households and individuals who identify as non-Hispanic Black race are particularly vulnerable populations for whom targeted strategies should be developed to address evidence of increased risk with regards to multiple aspects of nutritional wellbeing. Limitations of the existing evidence relate to the accuracy of self-reported dietary data; the need for consistent definitions of disordered eating; the focus on individual dietary components v. patterns; the complexities of categorising socio-economic status, ethnicity/race, and rural and urban areas; and the cross-sectional, observational nature of most research designs. There is an urgent need for research to address these limitations and fill a large gap in evidence on rural–urban differences in nutritional problems. It will further be important for future studies to build greater understanding of how nutritional problems cluster among population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Associations of parental feeding techniques with adiposity are mixed and largely rely on cross-sectional studies. We examined associations between parental food-choice control and using food to soothe at 3.5 years on adiposity at 7 and 15 years.Methods: Participants were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 7312). Food-choice control was assessed using the item 'how much choice do you allow him/her in deciding what foods he eats at meals?'. Use of food to soothe was reported by mothers on the item 'how often do you use sweets or other foods to stop his/her crying or fussing?'. BMI at 7 and 15 years was converted to sex- and age-adjusted z-scores. Fat mass was assessed at 15 years using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results: In fully-adjusted models, children given the least choice had 0.08 lower BMI z-score at age 7 years and 0.12 lower BMI z-score,1.46 kg lower fat mass at 15 years than children with the most choices. There was no evidence of an association between using food to soothe and adiposity.Conclusions: Contrary to some studies, higher parental control over food choice was associated with lower adiposity, but use of food to soothe was not associated with adiposity at ages 7 and 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted to elucidate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, bone turnover marker's variation and its influencing factors among adolescents of Tehran. Methods: Totally 444 middle and high school (53.6 % in high school) students (both girls and boys) were recruited. A short food frequency questionnaire designed to estimate dietary calcium and vitamin D consumption. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), bone specific alkaline phosphates, 25 (OH) vitamin D, osteocalcin, cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX), total protein, albumin and creatinine were determined. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in adolescents and only 22.4 % of students had normal serum vitamin D. Results revealed that vitamin D insufficiency reported in 34.2 % of students and vitamin D deficiency was in 43. 3 % of them. Serum vitamin D, osteocalcin, CTX and bone specific alkaline phosphates were significantly higher in boys in all different ages. Serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D had positive influences on bone turnover markers and had negative correlation with PTH. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common among healthy adolescents of Tehran. There is a pressing need to improve vitamin D status among adolescents. Increasing vitamin D fortification of dairy products can be considered as a population-wide public health strategy in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: NutriBee was the first clinical nutrition intervention designed to bring the Institute of Medicine recommendations for 20 hours of experiential nutrition-themed learning to grades 4-7 into club and camp settings. We piloted NutriBee to assess acceptability and impact among early adolescents in diverse and disadvantaged communities in order to evaluate its future potential as a group medical nutrition intervention.Methods: Nine communities across Guam, Maryland, Michigan, and New Mexico representing South Pacific Island, American Indian, urban African American, recently immigrated Hispanic, and rural Caucasian ethnic groups piloted NutriBee in nonclinical settings (clubs, schools, camps). The 6 club and camp pilots administered consenting NutriBee participants a 41-question pre-post survey assessing impact on food selection and the psychosocial parameters of intentions, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and knowledge. Process measures included dose, fidelity, and acceptability questions.Results: Pre- and postsurveys were completed by 170 of 179 (95%) consenting, eligible participants. Impact scores increased significantly (p < 0.001): Food selection behavior (+9.3%), intentions (+19.1%), outcome expectations (+15.1%), self-efficacy (+7.4%), and knowledge (+17.6%). Each pilot (n = 6) demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) impact, a mean dose delivered of 80% (16 hours) or higher, and an acceptability score of at least 74%. Girls participating in girl-only programs (n = 72) shared greater impact than girls in coed programs (n = 41; 13.6% vs. 10.4% mean score increase, p = 0.05).Conclusions: NutriBee successfully extended the impact of an IOM-aligned intervention to club and camp settings to which clinicians can refer at-risk early adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance is the property of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To explore and describe philosophies and characteristics of intensive eating disorder (ED) treatment programs based in tertiary care institutions across Canada. Method: A ninety-item survey examining ED services for adolescents was developed, piloted, and completed by 11 programs across Canada. Information pertaining to program characteristics and components, governance, staffing, referrals, assessments, therapeutic modalities in place, nutritional practices, and treatment protocols were collected. Results: The results highlight the diversity of programming available but also the lack of a unified approach to intensive eating disorder treatment in youth. Conclusions: This report provides important baseline data that offers a framework that programs can use to come together to establish assessment and treatment protocols as well as a process for outcome evaluation. Continued collaboration will be essential moving forward to ensure Canadian youth, regardless of geographic location, receive the necessary treatment required to attain and sustain recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background-The obesity-hypertension link over the life course has not been well characterized, although the prevalence of obesity and hypertension is increasing in the United States. Methods and Results-We studied the association of body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood, into middle age, and through late life with risk of developing hypertension in 1132 white men of The Johns Hopkins Precursors Study, a prospective cohort study. Over a median follow-up period of 46 years, 508 men developed hypertension. Obesity (BMI ⩾30 kg/m2) in young adulthood was strongly associated with incident hypertension (hazard ratio, 4.17; 95% confidence interval, 2.34-7.42). Overweight (BMI 25 to <30 kg/m2) also signaled increased risk (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.96). Men of normal weight at age 25 years who became overweight or obese at age 45 years were at increased risk compared with men of normal weight at both times (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.07), but not men who were overweight or obese at age 25 years who returned to normal weight at age 45 years (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-1.92). After adjustment for time-dependent number of cigarettes smoked, cups of coffee taken, alcohol intake, physical activity, parental premature hypertension, and baseline BMI, the rate of change in BMI over the life course increased the risk of incident hypertension in a dose-response fashion, with the highest risk among men with the greatest increase in BMI (hazard ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.82-3.49). Conclusions-Our findings underscore the importance of higher weight and weight gain in increasing the risk of hypertension from young adulthood through middle age and into late life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study examined the mediating function of body weight perception (BWP) in the relation between body mass index (BMI) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs; eg, fasting, using diet pills, or laxatives), and between BMI and suicidal ideation. It also explored the correlation between exposure to multiple UWCBs and suicidal ideation among Korean adolescents. METHODS: Data on BMI, BWP, UWCBs, and suicidal ideation were obtained from the 2006 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, a school-based survey conducted on a nationally representative sample of students in grades 7–12 (36,463 boys and 33,433 girls). Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: BMI was significantly associated with both UWCB and suicidal ideation among boys and girls, even after controlling for covariates. However, the significance and magnitude of the association between BMI and UWCB were considerably attenuated when BWP was added to the model. When BWP was included, the association between overweight BMI status and suicidal ideation became nonsignificant in both sexes, whereas the association between underweight BMI status and suicidal ideation remained significant among boys. Adolescent boys and girls engaging in multiple UWCBs were at greater risk for experiencing suicidal thoughts. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that BWP represents a potential mediator between BMI and UWCB, and between BMI and suicidal ideation among both boys and girls. Thus, school programs addressing issues related to BWP should be developed and targeted at adolescents to reduce the potential risks for both UWCB and suicidal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Breakfast consumption is often examined when researching adolescent dietary intakes and overall health. However, fewer studies have examined the relationship between breakfast and obesity, particularly over time and in relation to weight outcomes in young adulthood. In addition, little is known about contextual factors influencing the likelihood of adolescents consuming breakfast on a regular basis. Objective: The present study assessed individuals'' breakfast consumption patterns and obesity status during adolescence and young adulthood. Analyses included the context in which breakfast consumption took place, specifically community and family factors. Design: Participants'' breakfast consumption patterns and obesity status were assessed at two developmental time points—adolescence (Wave 2) and young adulthood (Wave 3). Community disadvantage, family poverty, race, sex, and a parent''s morning presence in the home, were examined for association with breakfast consumption. Subjects/setting: Data used in this study (n=7,788) were derived from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative study of adolescents. Data were collected as follows: Wave 1 (September 1994 to April 1995), Wave 2 (April 1996 to August 1996), and Wave 3 (August 2001 to April 2002). The final sample ranged in age from 12 to 19 years during Wave 2 and 18 to 26 years during Wave 3. Statistical analyses: Multilevel random intercept regression models were used to examine the association between community, parental, and individual predictors on adolescent and young adult weight outcomes. Results: Adolescent regular breakfast consumption significantly predicted young adult regular breakfast consumption (P<0.001) and an important factor associated with adolescents eating breakfast was having at least one parent home in the morning. Regular consumption during both developmental periods provided considerable protection from obesity during adolescence and young adulthood (ie, chronic obesity). Residing in disadvantaged communities decreased the odds adolescents would eat breakfast during adolescence and increased their chances for chronic obesity. African Americans were less likely to eat breakfast during adolescence and young adulthood, while also being at greater risk for chronic obesity compared to whites. Conclusions: Results indicate that low-income youth in disadvantaged communities, especially African Americans, should be specifically targeted for nutrition interventions related to breakfast consumption. In addition, parental promotion of breakfast at home and/or engagement with schools to develop or strengthen school-based breakfast programs may be a powerful addition to nutrition interventions for youth at risk for lifelong struggles with obesity and other nutrition-related problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We examined whether young adult meal patterning, dietary intake, and home food availability differed among nonstudents, 2-year college students, and 4-year college students (N = 1687; mean age=20.5 years). Unadjusted analyses showed that few young adults consumed optimal diets and, compared with 4-year college students, nonstudents and 2-year students consumed fewer meals and poorer diets. After controlling for sociodemographics and living arrangements, we found that over half of the observed associations remained significant (P<.05). Nutrition interventions are needed for young adults, particularly specific at-risk groups. (Am J Public Health. 2009;99:1216-1219. doi:10. 2105/AJPH. 2007.147454) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Low fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes are associated with excess body weight. The United States Department of Agriculture sponsors a Free Fruit and Vegetable Program in schools whereby students receive free FV snacks daily. This study assessed whether the program improved student exposure to and preferences for FV in a Houston high school in 2006–2007. Anonymous, post-intervention only FV exposure and preference surveys were completed by 2000 intervention school students and 1600 students in a comparison school during May, 2007. Differences in FV exposure and preferences were assessed, as well as differences in preferences between those students who tasted the item for the first time at school compared to those who had tasted the item before. The comparison school average scores for prior FV exposure and vegetable preferences were significantly higher than the intervention school scores. Intervention school students who had tasted the item previously reported significantly higher preferences than students who had tasted it for the first time at school. Access to the Free Fruit and Vegetable Program did not appear to improve high school student reported FV exposure and preferences. Future research should investigate the connection between food exposure, preferences and consumption in adolescents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This review aimed to gain insight in the extent to which psychosocial effects of obesity prevention programmes have been studied, to give an overview of the methods used to measure the particular psychosocial aspects and – if possible – to quantify the effects found. Intervention studies ( n = 267) covering the period 1990–October 2005 were derived from seven reviews about childhood obesity interventions. An additional search identified 2754 studies covering the period January 2005–February 2008. In total, 2901 papers (excluding 120 duplicates) were screened for inclusion. Sixty-nine papers covering 53 interventions were included and screened on measuring psychosocial variables. All original authors were contacted. Seven of the selected interventions measured psychosocial variables, five of which evaluated a net intervention effect as compared with a control condition. Only two interventions reported a statistically significant net intervention effect (a decrease in use of purging or diet pills and a decrease in peer ratings of aggression and observed verbal aggression). We conclude that a minority of childhood obesity interventions investigate the effects of their programmes on psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents. It is recommended that in the future, these programmes will be evaluated in a uniform way on a broad range of psychosocial aspects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obesity crisis is a hegemonic discourse that has established common-sense understandings that young people are less active and fit than previous generations. Unquestioning acceptance of links between fitness and obesity in turn leads to unproblematic fitness testing of young people. Argument is made that fitness tests motivate and encourage participation in physical activity. Poststructural perspectives as informed by the work of Michel Foucault invite consideration of alternative possibilities around complex social phenomena such as the obesity crisis and pedagogical practices such as fitness testing. This research was informed by concerns about the unproblematic fitness testing of young people and calls for pedagogies of physical education that work to unsettle dominant discourses. The research investigates the experience of fitness testing from the perspective of university students pursuing health and physical education pathways through their degree programmes. Experiences of fitness testing were explored and the meanings made around participation, performances and results were interrogated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. The aim of the study was to enhance the detection of disordered eating in adolescents. The objectives were to examine gender differences in the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms, in occurrence of health-risk factors and susceptibility to these and to investigate associations between health-risk factors and eating disorder symptoms. Background. Disordered eating has a strong female preponderance. Reasons for the gender discrepancy are not well known. However, to develop effective strategies for eating disorder prevention, we need to understand gender differences in disordered eating and the related factors. Design. This is a school-based, cross-sectional cohort study with a natural design. Methods. The SCOFF and the R-BDI questionnaires were administered to students (14-15 years old) attending the eighth grade of secondary school. Information about health-risk factors was obtained from the adolescents' school health-care records. Results. The results were based on data from 1036 (71% of the sample) students. Self-reported eating disorder symptoms were prevalent in 24% of the girls and 16% of the boys. Girls reported many of the health-risk factors studied at a higher rate than boys. However, there were no gender differences in susceptibility to these factors. Dissatisfaction with appearance or weight, use of tobacco, lack of regular meals and poor communication with parents increased the likelihood of eating disorder symptoms in both genders. Conclusions. Gender differences in disordered eating are relatively small in adolescence. To enhance the detection of eating disorder symptoms, both girls and boys should be screened for these problems in secondary school. Relevance to clinical practice. The results can help nurses to use the information obtained from adolescents' health-care records, their annual health examinations and their responses to the SCOFF questionnaire to identify those who need further intervention, including adolescent boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty adolescents with AN and 200 healthy girls underwent vitamin D screening. Girls with AN reported exceptional compliance with vitamin D supplementation and PTH concentrations were lower. Vitamin D deficiency was less common in the group with AN, but when race was considered, the trend was no longer significant. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are more compliant with supplementation and have a lower prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than healthy controls. Fifty adolescents with AN and 200 controls were compared using anthropometric and lifestyle data, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 2% in the AN group vs. 24% among controls ( p = 0.003). 25OHD was similar among white participants with AN and white controls (39.5 vs. 36.0 ng/mL, p = 0.20), but higher than in non-white controls (20.6 ng/mL). Significantly more girls with AN reported vitamin D supplementation (86%) than the full control (14%) or white subgroup (27%) ( p < 0.001). Participants with AN had lower PTH concentrations than controls, (27.8 vs. 47.4 pg/mL, p = 0.009), a trend that lost significance after age and race adjustment (41.7 pg/mL, p = 0.12). Compared to healthy controls, adolescents with AN had a lower prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and PTH concentration. However, 25OHD and PTH concentrations were similar after adjustment for race and age. The trend of lower PTH levels in adolescents with AN, accompanied by exceptional compliance with supplementation, may have bone health implications for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research has suggested that well siblings of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses are at risk for negative outcomes and that parents’ responses to the illnesses can influence the adaptation of well siblings. Yet, parents’ efforts to look after well siblings in the context of illness are rarely considered in literature about sibling adaptation. The importance of attending to the needs of well siblings was a major theme to emerge from a qualitative analysis of the experiences of parents of adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 parents of adolescent girls with anorexia and analysed using grounded theory method. Results The data indicated that parents viewed caring for well siblings in the context of anorexia as an important role and responsibility. Parents reported making conscious and active efforts to look after well siblings by: maintaining normality; compensating for changes to routines; protecting siblings; providing emotional support; and managing the consequences. Conclusions This paper provides a picture of the actions parents take to help well siblings adapt to anorexia in the family. Further research is needed to develop and expand this understanding to families experiencing a wide range of chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The findings underline the importance of clinical attention and further research into the critical parental role of caring for well siblings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an innovative multiple family psychoeducational group for the prevention of disordered eating among adolescent females. An overview of the concerns facing adolescents today is presented, including sociocultural norms, body dissatisfaction associated with pubertal changes, teasing regarding weight and shape, and family influences. Evidence regarding past prevention efforts are cited, indicating the need for the development of psychoeducational groups aimed at promoting familial systemic change for the prevention of adolescent disordered eating. Finally, a nine-session, psychoeducational multiple family group model for the prevention of disordered eating among female adolescents is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM:This paper deals with some methodological aspects of data collection in the context of measuring dietary intake in individuals in their adolescence life stage.METHOD:Experiences from three partners of the HELENA project in dietary intake measurement in children and adolescents are presented in this paper with emphasis on characteristics of under-reporting, long-term diet measurement and food patterns (Dortmund DONALD group), influences of survey duration on under-reporting (Ghent group) and meal habits (Spanish AVENA group).RESULTS:Under-reporters in the DONALD Study, particularly female adolescents, had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than non-under-reporters; BMI could not be explained by different long-term dietary patterns during childhood and adolescence clustered according to fat consumption; consumers of fast food had higher BMI values than nonconsumers. In the Ghent experience, the decline in population mean energy intake as calculated over selected clusters of days is 184 kcal (6.5%) in boys and 116 (5.6%) in girls; the cluster of 1 recording day and the cluster of 3 recording days were not significantly different but they were both significantly different from the 7-day cluster; no significant interaction was observed between the effect of time and BMI. In the AVENA Study, the percentage of adolescents skipping breakfast was higher in females (8.6%) than in males (3.5%, P<0.001); higher BMI values were observed in those skipping breakfast than in those notskipping breakfast, but differences were statistically significant in males at 15 y and in females at 14 and 17 y; adolescents avoiding some food groups for breakfast had higher BMI values (carbohydrates, fruits and pastries in males and milk, fruits and pastries in females).CONCLUSION:Dietary and nutrient intake data in the HELENA project will be obtained by means of repeated 24-h dietary recalls. Data from HELENA might be a basis for developing complex approaches like Healthy Eating Indices.International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, S66–S77. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803063 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The first National Eating Disorders Screening Program (NEDSP), conducted on more than 400 college campuses in 1996, was an educational and two-stage screening program designed to detect potentially clinically significant disordered eating attitudes and behaviors and offer referrals for further evaluation when warranted. The current study assessed the impact of the NEDSP on participants. Method A randomly selected subset of this sample (n = 289) was contacted approximately 2 years after the NEDSP to assess the impact of the program on knowledge and treatment-seeking behaviors for eating disorders. Results For greater than 80% of the participants, the program made participants aware of the danger of eating disorders and the availability of treatment. Of those who received a recommendation for further clinical evaluation of disordered eating (n = 109), nearly one half (47.7%) followed up on this recommendation and kept at least a first appointment and 39.4% actually sought treatment subsequent to the NEDSP. Discussion The results of the current study suggest that educational and screening programs may be a promising strategy for secondary prevention of eating disorders. They also suggest that awareness of the risks of disordered eating and available treatment may not be sufficient to motivate individuals to adhere to recommendations to seek treatment. Clinicians should, therefore, be vigilant for nonadherence to treatment recommendations and proactive in facilitating treatment. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 36: 157–162, 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To assess growth retardation in male adolescent patients who have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) and the effect of weight restoration on catch-up growth. Methods. Medical charts of all male adolescent AN patients (n = 12) who were admitted to the Pediatric Psychosomatic Department at the Sheba Medical Center from January 1, 1994, to December 31, 1998, were reviewed. Height and weight measurements were obtained before the onset of AN, at admission, and thereafter routinely during hospitalization and follow-up. Results. Eleven patients exhibited growth retardation during the course of their illness, as evident in a decrease in their height standard deviation score (SDS). The mean height SDS at the time of admission (-0.81 ± 0.93) was significantly lower than the premorbid SDS (-0.21 ± 0.91). Weight restoration resulted in accelerated linear growth (up to 2 cm/mo) in all patients. Positive weight gain (weight gain rate >1 kg/y) was associated with a mean height gain of 6.97 ± 6.48 cm/y, whereas weight loss or failure to gain weight (weight gain rate 1 kg/y) was associated with a mean of 2.7 ± 3.9 cm/y. This between-group difference was highly significant. Complete catch-up growth was not achieved in 9 of 12 patients. There was a trend for the mean adult final height SDS (-0.52 ± 0.84) to be higher than the admission height SDS but lower than both the premorbid height SDS and the midparental target height SDS (-0.21 ± 0.79). Conclusions. Linear growth retardation was a prominent feature of AN in our sample of male adolescent patients, preceding, in some cases, the reported detection of the eating disorder. Weight restoration, particularly when target weight is based on the premorbid height percentile, may be associated with significant catch-up growth, but complete catch-up growth may not be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study of families with an adolescent suffering from an eating disorder. Confirmation of the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; Exhibition of low level of affective expression; Prevalence of the feeling of isolation or too much governed by family rules.

This article discusses nutritional deficiency in infancy, childhood, puberty, and adolescence in terms of its etiology, diagnosis, and management. Etiological conditions include inadequate nutrient reserve, inadequate nutrient intake, deficient absorption, deficient utilization, and excessive nutrient needs.

The article presents abstracts related to nutritional aspects in laboratory medicine which include the "Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Colonial Cheeses Consumed in Rio Grande Do Sul," by L. V. Jacociunas, "Dislipidemia Associated to the Nutritional State in Adolescents of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil," by S. L. D. X Santos and colleagues, and the "Effects of Consumption Carbonated Beverages on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins," by Popović Milijana.

Reports on the release of the national data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System for the year 2003. Causes of death of persons aged ten to twenty four in the United States; Substantial morbidity and social problems among young persons; Nutrition disorders and substance abuse in teenagers.