Which dietary habit puts an adolescent at risk for nutritional deficits?

Which dietary habit puts an adolescent at risk for nutritional deficits?

• A. The client fasts twice a week to manage dietary intake
• B. The client eats a balanced diet with regular meals
• C. The client drinks milk daily
• D. The client eats breakfast daily

Answer: (A)

Intermittent fasting twice a week can create gaps in energy and nutrient intake during adolescence, a period of rapid growth and development. When overall daily intake drops due to regular fasting, teens may not get enough calories or essential nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins. This increases the risk of nutritional deficits, which can affect growth, bone health, energy levels, and concentration. In contrast, a balanced diet with regular meals supports steady energy and nutrient intake, helping meet the needs for growth. Drinking milk daily contributes calcium, protein, and vitamin D, which supports bone development. Eating breakfast daily helps distribute intake and can improve overall nutrient adequacy and energy for the day. Together, these habits promote better nutrition and reduce deficit risk.

Intermittent fasting twice a week can create gaps in energy and nutrient intake during adolescence, a period of rapid growth and development. When overall daily intake drops due to regular fasting, teens may not get enough calories or essential nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins. This increases the risk of nutritional deficits, which can affect growth, bone health, energy levels, and concentration.

In contrast, a balanced diet with regular meals supports steady energy and nutrient intake, helping meet the needs for growth. Drinking milk daily contributes calcium, protein, and vitamin D, which supports bone development. Eating breakfast daily helps distribute intake and can improve overall nutrient adequacy and energy for the day. Together, these habits promote better nutrition and reduce deficit risk.