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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Microbiome and Metabolism Research Unit » Microbiome and Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #435914
Research Project: Early Life Factors and Microbiota Impact on Healthy Development

Location: Microbiome and Metabolism Research

Title: Nourish Now: A science dialogue on improving adolescent health through nutrition

Author
item FERRUZZI, MARIO - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)
item BAILEY, REGAN - Florida State University
item DAVIS, THERESA - Texas A&M Agrilife
item LEIDY, HEATHER - University Of Texas At Austin
item BAUM, JAMIE - University Of Arkansas
item CASTLE, JILL - Jill Castle Nutrition Llc
item DE LEON, ANGELA - Indiana University
item DIAZ, EVA - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)
item FULGONI, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc
item GUNTHER, CARALYN - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/6/2026
Publication Date: 3/25/2026
Citation: Ferruzzi, M.G., Bailey, R.L., Davis, T.A., Leidy, H.J., Baum, J.I., Castle, J., De Leon, A., Diaz, E.C., Fulgoni, V.L., Gunther, C. 2026. Nourish Now: A science dialogue on improving adolescent health through nutrition. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2026.2643318.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2026.2643318

Interpretive Summary: This paper summarizes the national workshop “Nourish Now: A science dialogue on improving adolescent health through nutrition” held in Little Rock, Arkansas, where experts discussed how to improve adolescent health through better nutrition. It highlights that teens have poor diet quality despite high nutritional needs, with many not getting enough key nutrients like iron, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber, which can impact growth and long-term health. The paper identifies key drivers of poor diet in adolescents, including increased independence, social media influences, limited access to healthy foods, and food insecurity, along with low physical activity and poor sleep. It emphasizes that adolescence is a critical but understudied period and calls for more research and practical strategies to improve diet quality and support long-term health.

Technical Abstract: 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.