The Centre for Adolescent Health was pleased to contribute to a world-first set of dietary recommendations to help active adolescent athletes achieve optimal health and sporting success. The new position statement, released by Sports Dietitians Australia, provides advice on all aspects of an adolescent’s diet including energy intake; carbohydrate, protein and fat needs; fluid requirements; and specific nutrients of importance, such as iron, calcium and vitamin D. Adolescent Athlete_FACT SHEET

The position statement also warns against the use of performance enhancing dietary supplements by active adolescent athletes as unnecessary and potentially hazardous to their health.

Professor Sawyer contributed to the development of the Position Statement that framed the challenges for adolescent athletes who have unique nutrition needs as a consequence of their daily training when coupled with the added demands of adolescent growth and development. In adolescence, it is important that attention is paid to establishing long term healthy eating habits and health, not just sporting performance.

The Position Statement was recently published online in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.