Nutrition for Children and Teenagers : 271 Articles

Eating well and being physically active are keys to a child's well-being. A healthy diet not only supplies all the nutrients that growing children and teens need, it also lays the foundation for future health.  Scan this section for research findings and articles on how certain foods, vitamins, minerals, and physical activity impact a child's health.

Omega-3s may prevent type 1 diabetes in kids

A higher intake of omega-3 fats may protect children with a family history of type 1 diabetes from developing the disease. A new study, published in the Journal of the American Medical…

Food additives may cause hyperactivity in kids

Artificial food coloring and preservatives added to common foods have been found to increase hyperactivity in children, according to a new study in the Lancet medical journal. In this landmark…

Sugary drinks lead to weight gain in kids

Canadian researchers from the University of Ottawa report in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association that children who drink sugary drinks between meals are more than twice as likely…

Pure fruit juice does not lead to weight gain in kids

Despite the belief that drinking pure fruit juice will lead to weight gain in kids, new research suggests that pure fruit juice in moderation can provide essential nutrients and may even help…

Report could revamp U.S. school nutrition standards

A new report issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) could lead to a major overhaul of the types of competitive foods allowod in  U.S. schools. Released yesterday, the report recommends…

Mediterranean diet cuts asthma risk in children

Findings from researchers at the University of Crete, in Greece have found that children who consume a Mediterranean-style diet may cut their risk of asthma by up to 80 percent. The…

Study finds TV commercials promote junk food to kids

According to researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation more than 40 percent of commercials geared to kids advertise candy, unhealthy snacks and fast food. To study the number of commercials…

Health Canada warns about canned albacore tuna

Health Canada says women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as young children, should limit the amount of canned albacore tuna they eat.  The department says mercury levels in…

Magnesium boosts bone health in teens

Research findings from Yale University School of Medicine have found that magnesium supplements during adolescence may boost overall bone health. The study, of 120 healthy girls between the…

US Children not getting enough fruit and vegetables

According to research findings published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, less than 12 percent of American children are eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.…

Girls likely to become overweight as tweens, not teens

New research reported in The Journal of Pediatrics suggests that young girls are more likely to become overweight as tweens (between the ages of nine and twelve) than as teenagers. Researchers…

Magnesium boosts bone health in teenage girls

According to findings from researchers at Yale University School of Medicine, a daily magnesium supplement may significantly increase bone mineral content in adolescent girls. The small study…

Fish and whole grains guard against asthma

According to Dutch researchers, eating plenty of fish and whole grains could cut the risk of developing asthma by almost 50 percent. Researchers assessed the diets of nearly 600 children, aged…

Preparing own meals helps teens eat healthier

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that young adults who prepare their own meals tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and have an overall better diet than those who are…

Energy drinks dangerous says report

A recent study from Northwestern University has found a surprising number of caffeine overdoses related to caffeine pills and drinks based on reports to a Chicago based poison control centre.…

Diet, exercise linked to bone strength in obese kids

A recent study confirms that obese children and adolescents are prone to weaker bones than their normal-weight peers. Study findings also suggest combined nutrition-behavioural-physical…

Children with lactose intolerance missing key nutrients

A review from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests children with lactose intolerance are missing out on essential nutrients by avoiding dairy products. The review also suggest…

Vitamin D deficiency puts teens at risk of osteoporosis

According to a British study, over 70 percent of teenage girls are vitamin D deficient, putting them at increased risk of osteoporosis and other health problems later in life. The researchers…

Overweight kids at risk of high blood pressure later in life

New research findings from Tulane University in New Orleans have found that half of adults with high blood pressure were overweight when they were children. While it is known there is a link…

Childhood obesity linked to overweight in adulthood

According to researchers at University College London, children who are overweight or obese by the age of eleven are likely to carry their excess weight into adulthood, and as a result, suffer…