Alternative diets among adolescents: facts or fads?

Purpose of review With rising rates of chronic noninfectious diseases across the United States thought to be associated with the average American diet, many have adopted alternative diets. Most of these diets promise weight reduction via adherence to strict dietary guidelines, often removing certain types of food. With access to a plethora of information online, it is easy for adolescents to become confused when making dietary decisions. Although these diets promise benefits, it is important to understand common shortcomings and how to overcome them for safe implementation among adolescents. Recent findings This review discusses the theory, implementation, and risks associated with intermittent fasting as well as vegetarian, vegan, ketogenic, Atkins, Paleolithic, and Mediterranean diets. These considerations are further modified for pediatric populations with a focus on the social influences on dieting. Although these diets may be promising, successful adherence to them requires addressing possible shortcomings associated with a certain diet. Pediatricians should be aware of how these dietary strategies may be properly implemented in order to prevent any harm to the patient. Empowering the patient and their families through informational resources is recommended. Pediatricians should also discuss motivations underlying their patient's dietary changes in order to determine whether these motivations are healthy.

Automated summary

This review discusses various alternative diets such as intermittent fasting and vegetarian, vegan, ketogenic, Atkins, Paleolithic, and Mediterranean diets, as well as their theory, implementation, and associated risks. It highlights the importance of addressing possible shortcomings of these diets to ensure safe implementation among adolescents, with a focus on pediatric populations and social influences on dieting. Empowering patients and their families through informational resources and discussing motivations underlying dietary changes are crucial for successful adherence to these diets.