FSAI Publishes First Scientific Report on Nutrition for Adolescents

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) released its first-ever scientific report on dietary guidelines for adolescents aged nine to 18 on October 12, 2026. The new recommendations provide a framework for healthy growth by accounting for the significant physiological variations that occur during the teenage years, including differences in body size, activity levels, and the timing of puberty. The report, developed by the FSAI Scientific Committee, relies on data from the National Children’s Food Survey II and the National Teens’ Food Survey II, as reported by the FSAI.

Nutritional Requirements for Rapid Growth Cycles

Adolescence involves a intense period of physical development that necessitates high nutrient intake to support cognitive and physical maturation. According to Dr. Mary Flynn, FSAI Chief Specialist in Public Health Nutrition, this stage is not limited to the teenage years; it often begins around age eight for girls and age 10 for boys. Dr. Flynn noted on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that adolescents possess some of the highest food requirements of any human age group, as they approach adult size during this decade-long transition.

The guidance highlights that development is not uniform. We have early developers and late developers, Dr. Flynn stated. The FSAI report emphasizes that dietary intake must be flexible to accommodate these differences, noting that sedentary adolescents and highly active athletes have vastly different energy needs. The authority suggests that caregivers and adolescents use nutrition labeling on items like yogurt and breakfast cereals to select products that align with healthier criteria.

Biological Differences and Injury Prevention

The FSAI report details how sex hormones drive distinct physical changes that influence dietary needs. In boys, testosterone facilitates the development of muscle mass, while in girls, estrogen acts as a fat-promoting hormone that shifts body composition, particularly around the hips and thighs. Dr. Flynn explained that the teenage years are critical for long-term health, noting that 40% of an individual’s total bone mineral content is deposited during this 10-year window.

The FSAI raised concerns regarding some active teenagers who prioritize high-protein diets while neglecting carbohydrates. According to the FSAI, this imbalance can lead to fatigue and injuries, particularly among athletes who participate in rigorous sports schedules without sufficient downtime or adequate carbohydrate intake. If you’re not eating carbs, you have to go to a big metabolic kind of pathway to get it from the protein foods that they’re fixated on, Dr. Flynn said.

Supplementation Guidelines for Adolescent Health

Beyond general food-based patterns, the FSAI outlines specific requirements for vitamin and mineral supplementation. The authority recommends that all adolescents continue taking a vitamin D supplement, with the specific dosage determined by the individual’s age, ethnicity, and the time of year. Additionally, the FSAI advises that all women of childbearing age, including adolescents capable of becoming pregnant, should take 400 µg of folic acid daily to support health outcomes.

While the report establishes a new scientific basis for nutrition during this developmental stage, the FSAI emphasizes that these patterns are designed to be adjusted based on individual growth trajectories. The authority has not yet outlined specific public outreach programs to implement these guidelines, leaving the responsibility of adopting these recommendations to families and individual adolescents navigating the physiological shifts of puberty.