It is well-established that nutrient adequacy in childhood and adolescence impacts physical growth, development, and academic performance, as well as long-term health. Yet, research within the school-age child and adolescent life stage is limited, and dietary guidance lacks specificity for these unique needs. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans noted that the nutrient gaps among adolescents are significant, stating that this "constellation of potential nutritional risk factors" is a public health challenge. To illuminate and raise awareness for opportunities aimed at addressing these gaps, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, partnered with the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (ACNC), one of six USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) national human nutrition research centers, to convene 50 leading nutrition scientists, physicians, registered dietitians, and public health experts for a science dialogue on the topic of improving adolescent health through nutrition. The Proceedings highlights this convening of experts who presented at Nourish Now: A Science Dialogue for Improving Adolescent Health Through Nutrition on May 2, 2024.
Ferruzzi et al. (2026) studied this question.