Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Systematic review on evidence-based adolescent nutrition interventions.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
April 1, 2017
Zohra S Lassi et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of calcium supplementation on adolescents and women of reproductive age, including pregnant women, by reviewing existing systematic reviews and primary studies.

Results Summary

The study found a paucity of trials on calcium supplementation, indicating limited evidence on its effects in the studied populations. No significant outcomes or improvements related to calcium were reported.

Population

Adolescents (10-19 years) and women of reproductive age, including pregnant women.

Effective Dosage

Not available

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
iron supplementation
increase
serum hemoglobin concentration
adolescents
-
can significantly improve
#1
iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation
increase
serum hemoglobin concentration
adolescents
-
can significantly improve
#2
zinc supplementation
increase
serum hemoglobin concentration
adolescents
-
can significantly improve
#3
multiple micronutrient supplementation
increase
serum hemoglobin concentration
adolescents
-
can significantly improve
#4
zinc supplementation
decrease
preterm birth
pregnant adolescents
-
showed improvements in
#5
zinc supplementation
decrease
low birth weight
pregnant adolescents
-
showed improvements in
#6
Interventions to prevent and manage obesity
no change
body mass index
adolescents
-
showed a nonsignificant impact on reducing
#7
Abstract

Adolescence is a critical stage in the life cycle, and adequate nutrition is necessary for the proper growth and development of individuals and their offspring. Here, we comprehensively review all published systematic reviews (through October 2016) on adolescents (10-19 years) and women of reproductive age, including pregnant women, which targeted interventions related to nutrition. For interventions where there was no existing systematic review on adolescents, we reviewed primary studies/trials. We included interventions on micronutrient supplementation (iron, folic acid, iron-folic acid (IFA), calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, iodine, and multiple micronutrients), food/protein energy supplementation, nutrition education for pregnant adolescents, obesity prevention and management, and management of gestational diabetes. We identified a total of 35 systematic reviews, of which only five were conducted on adolescents, and 107 primary studies on adolescents. Our review suggests that iron alone, IFA, zinc, and multiple micronutrient supplementation in adolescents can significantly improve serum hemoglobin concentration. While zinc supplementation in pregnant adolescents showed improvements in preterm birth and low birth weight, we found a paucity of trials on calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and iodine supplementation. We found limited evidence on food/protein energy supplementation in adolescents. Interventions to prevent and manage obesity showed a nonsignificant impact on reducing body mass index. This review underscores the importance of adolescent nutrition interventions. It is imperative that countries design nutritional interventions, particularly for adolescents.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdolescent Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaDiabetes, GestationalDietary SupplementsEarly Intervention, EducationalEarly Medical InterventionEvidence-Based MedicineFemaleHumansMicronutrientsNutritional RequirementsObesityPregnancy
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy30/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations65
Citations/Year8.1
Relative Citation Ratio3.56
NIH Percentile88.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.08
Normalized Score0.47
Related Supplements