Using protein shakes, bars, powders and other supplements may seem like an easy solution for those looking to increase their protein intake, but when it comes to teenagers, pediatricians worry they may be relying too much on supplements.
Two out of every five parents said their teen took protein supplements in the past year, with teen boys more likely than girls to take the supplements every day or more days than teen girls, according to new research from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital published Monday. -fair.
Of the 46% of teenage boys who consumed protein supplements in the past year, more than half of parents said they they did it for muscle gain. Of the 36% of teenagers who took the supplements, parents said their daughters used protein supplements more to lose weight or to replace a meal when they were busy. Nearly 1 in 5 parents say their teenager doesn’t get enough protein.
“Marketing can lead people toI think a higher amount of protein means a product is healthier – but that’s not necessarily true!said Sarah Clark, co-director of Mott Poll and a pediatrics researcher at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “Instead, parents and teens can look for a more balanced product that contains some protein, along with other essential nutrients and fiber – but with very little (if any) added sugar or caffeine.”
The Mott survey was carried out in August with 989 parents of young people aged 13 to 17. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 to 7 percentage points.
44% of parents say they or another family member have encouraged their teen to take protein supplements, especially when the teen has expressed an interest in getting in shape, losing weight, looking attractive, improving athletic performance or being healthy.
But taking protein supplements may not solve these problems, Clark said. While protein is part of a healthy diet, intake should be considered in the context of a person’s overall diet, he added.
Should teenagers take protein supplements?
Teenagers are rarely advised to take protein supplements, said Diana Schnee, a pediatric nutritionist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s in Ohio who was not involved in the Mott research.
Adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 typically need 46 grams per day, while adolescent boys of the same age need 52 grams per day, according to recommended dietary allowances.
Protein supplements can put the user at risk of consuming too much protein, which can cause dehydration and put stress on the kidneys, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate protein powders before they are put on the market, which means users could be exposed to other substances, such as stimulants, Schnee said.
The FDA generally inspects dietary supplements like foods, and the agency only has the authority to take action against “any adulterated or adulterated dietary supplement after it has been placed on the market,” according to the agency’s website.
If teens eat protein with every meal of the day and some snacks, they are probably getting enough protein. Protein supplements are rarely guaranteed and may only be recommended for certain teens who follow a restricted diet, such as a vegetarian or vegan plan, Schnee added.
Source: CNN