Adolescence is a critical developmental stage, accounting for 16% of the global population with approximately 1.3 billion adolescents worldwide. It is marked by significant physical, cognitive, and emotional growth, second only to infancy in developmental rate. During this stage, the brain undergoes rapid development, which affects emotional regulation, information processing, and decision-making. Adolescents begin to form peer-based relationships and engage in experimentation, exploration, and risk-taking behaviors. This period also represents a time of rapid physical development and increased nutritional demands, including higher requirements for energy, protein, iron, calcium, and other key macronutrients, many of which exceed adult recommendations. Despite the importance of this age group, adolescent health and nutrition remain notably neglected in global health and nutritional policies. The Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing has brought this critical issue to the forefront, labelling adolescent nutrition as the ‘hidden crisis’ and emphasizing the urgent need for investment in young people’s health. This age group often falls into a policy gap - too old to receive the protective care given to children yet frequently overlooked in adult health initiatives. The widespread exclusion of adolescents from international policies is particularly concerning given that adolescence is generally viewed as a period of improved health and reduced vulnerability to illness, leading to its neglect in community health discussions. This oversight is especially problematic as poor dietary patterns established during adolescence often persist into adulthood, contributing significantly to the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Adolescents’ physical, cognitive, and economic development are fundamentally shaped by their nutritional status. Inadequate nourishment-encompassing both undernutrition (including, wasting, growth failure and micronutrient deficiencies) and overnutrition(excess caloric intake leading to overweight and obesity) remains prevalent globally, though its specific manifestations vary by region where undernutrition remaining more common in low- and middle-income countries and overnutrition increasingly prevalent in urban and high-income settings-both forms represent significant public health concerns during adolescence. The magnitude of this problem is illustrated by the global burden of iron deficiency anemia, which results in the loss of 1,161 and 1,365 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 females and males aged 10–14, respectively. The transition into adulthood brings additional challenges as adolescents experience dietary and lifestyle changes that increase their susceptibility to eating disorders, overweight, and obesity. These nutritional challenges have far-reaching implications for community health, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing and protecting adolescents’ nutritional needs for both current and future health outcomes. The nutritional situation of adolescents is further complicated by the double burden of malnutrition globally—the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition within the same population, household, or individual—which particularly affects urban communities in low- and middle-income countries. Limited access to diverse and nutritious foods can lead to deficiencies in essential micronutrients. Adolescent girls can be especially vulnerable, as discrimination and social norms often result in their lack of access to nutritious food, nutrition services, and education. Additionally, other external factors, such as peer pressure, the desire to fit in with friends, and attractive marketing, significantly influence adolescents' diets. Fast food and processed snacks are also widely available in urban areas, including in and around schools. Therefore, everyone recommends that proper nutrition during school years is essential for building a strong generation. It supports physical and mental growth, strengthens immunity, improves concentration and academic achievement, and establishes healthy habits for life because it provides the necessary energy, proteins, vitamins, and minerals for the brain and body to function in a balanced way, thus reducing diseases and enhancing the cognitive and behavioral abilities of students in their crucial school years. Al-Mustaqbal University the first university in Iraq.
  الهدف الثالث من اهداف التنمية المستدامة -الصحة الجيدة والرفاه   The Third Goal of the Sustainable Development Goals – Good Health and Well-being