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The prevalence of overweight among adolescents more than doubled from 5% in the late 1970s to 11% between 1988 and 1994. Overweight or obesity acquired during childhood or adolescence may persist into adulthood and increase the risk later in life for coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, some types of cancer, and osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints. In adolescence, obesity is associated with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance, and adverse psychological and social consequences. Studies have shown high rates of body dissatisfaction and dieting among adolescent females, with many engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors, such as fasting and self-induced vomiting.

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other substances that are important for good health. Dietary patterns with higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are associated with a variety of health benefits, including a decreased risk for some types of cancer. Only 44% of male adolescents and 27% of female adolescents meet the minimum average daily goal of a least five servings of vegetables and fruits set by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Milk is by far the largest single source of calcium for adolescents, but it is estimated that about half of adolescent males and more than 80% of adolescent females do not meet dietary recommendations for calcium intake. Calcium is essential for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth; low calcium intake during the first two to three decades of life is an important risk factor in the development of osteoporosis.

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