Which dietary pattern is associated with nutritional deficits in adolescents?

Which dietary pattern is associated with nutritional deficits in adolescents?

• A. Eating breakfast daily
• B. Consuming a balanced diet
• C. Fasting twice a week
• D. Drinking water with meals

Answer: (C)

Adolescents have high energy and nutrient needs because of rapid growth and puberty. A pattern that involves fasting twice weekly lowers overall daily intake, increasing the risk that calories and key nutrients—like iron, calcium, and folate—fall short of what the body requires for growth and development. Over time, this can lead to nutritional deficits. In contrast, eating breakfast daily helps ensure a more consistent energy and nutrient intake, a balanced diet provides a broad range of essential vitamins and minerals, and drinking water with meals supports hydration without limiting nutrient intake. So, the fasting pattern is the one most closely linked to nutritional deficits in teens.

Adolescents have high energy and nutrient needs because of rapid growth and puberty. A pattern that involves fasting twice weekly lowers overall daily intake, increasing the risk that calories and key nutrients—like iron, calcium, and folate—fall short of what the body requires for growth and development. Over time, this can lead to nutritional deficits. In contrast, eating breakfast daily helps ensure a more consistent energy and nutrient intake, a balanced diet provides a broad range of essential vitamins and minerals, and drinking water with meals supports hydration without limiting nutrient intake. So, the fasting pattern is the one most closely linked to nutritional deficits in teens.