What is a potential goal for nutrition education when working with adolescent athletes?

Ensuring energy demands are met is a fundamental goal for nutrition education, especially when working with adolescent athletes. During adolescence, individuals undergo significant growth and development, both physically and mentally. Adolescent athletes have increased energy requirements due to their intense training and competition schedules. Proper nutrition is crucial to support their performance, recovery, and overall health.

Meeting energy demands helps ensure that adolescent athletes have the necessary fuel to perform at their best, maintain healthy body composition, and support their growing bodies. Nutrition education should focus on teaching these athletes about the importance of a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, as well as understanding how to appropriately calculate their energy needs. By emphasizing energy balance and nutritional quality, educators can help adolescent athletes avoid potential issues related to under-eating or improper nutrition that could negatively impact their athletic performance and overall well-being.