Abstract
<jats:p>Adolescence is a key life stage associated with significant physiological, psychological and social development, culminating in the transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescent food habits may include snacking, breakfast skipping – particularly amongst females, older adolescents and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, and those adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. Adolescents are nutritionally vulnerable due to a combination of their increased needs for growth, psychosocial developmental changes as well as their food environment. Micronutrients of particular concern are Vitamins A, B6, B2, D, E, and folate, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Adolescents may consume highly caffeinated beverages such as energy drinks, and this increased intake of caffeine is linked with poorer nutrient intakes due to meal skipping as well as other negative health effects such as poorer sleep quality, irritability and anxiety. Providing evidence‐based, sensitive and age‐appropriate information to adolescents is important for good nutritional care.</jats:p>