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Lessons learned about adolescent nutrition from the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Neumark-Sztainer, D; Story, M; Resnick, MD; Blum, RW
Published in: J Am Diet Assoc
December 1998

In 1986-1987, more than 30,000 adolescents completed the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey, a comprehensive assessment of adolescent health status, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors. Although the survey included relatively few items on nutrition-related issues, a wealth of knowledge about adolescent nutrition was gained. Lessons learned from a decade of subsequent analyses of data collected in the survey and implications for working with youth are summarized in this article. Major concerns identified included high prevalence rates of inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products; unhealthful weight-control practices; and overweight status. For example, inadequate fruit intake was reported by 28% of the adolescents and inadequate vegetable intake was reported by 36%. Among female adolescents, 12% reported chronic dieting, 30% reported binge eating, 12% reported self-induced vomiting, and 2% reported using diuretics or laxatives. Some of the risk factors for inadequate food intake patterns or unhealthful weight-control practices included low socioeconomic status, minority status, chronic illness, poor school achievement, low family connectedness, weight dissatisfaction, overweight, homosexual orientation among male adolescents, and use of health-compromising behaviors. To improve adolescent eating behaviors, the results suggest a need for innovative outreach strategies that include educational and environmental approaches. Dietitians play a key role in developing interventions and promoting research in the field of adolescent nutrition.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Am Diet Assoc

DOI

ISSN

0002-8223

Publication Date

December 1998

Volume

98

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1449 / 1456

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Obesity
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Surveys
  • Health Status
  • Health Behavior
 

Citation

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Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., Resnick, M. D., & Blum, R. W. (1998). Lessons learned about adolescent nutrition from the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey. J Am Diet Assoc, 98(12), 1449–1456. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(98)00329-0
Neumark-Sztainer, D., M. Story, M. D. Resnick, and R. W. Blum. “Lessons learned about adolescent nutrition from the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey.J Am Diet Assoc 98, no. 12 (December 1998): 1449–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(98)00329-0.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Lessons learned about adolescent nutrition from the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998 Dec;98(12):1449–56.
Neumark-Sztainer, D., et al. “Lessons learned about adolescent nutrition from the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey.J Am Diet Assoc, vol. 98, no. 12, Dec. 1998, pp. 1449–56. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/S0002-8223(98)00329-0.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Lessons learned about adolescent nutrition from the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998 Dec;98(12):1449–1456.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Diet Assoc

DOI

ISSN

0002-8223

Publication Date

December 1998

Volume

98

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1449 / 1456

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Obesity
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Surveys
  • Health Status
  • Health Behavior