Abstract

Teen brain health and dietary choices comprise an interesting read for all. The adolescent brain is not completely developed and these underdeveloped structures largely influence behavior, cognition and dietary controls. The current article describes the unique complimentary relation between teen brain development and dietary choices. The developing teen brain is characterized by underdeveloped decision-making capabilities, heightened reward system and limited restraint which compels them to eat poorly and in turn negatively impacts the normal functioning of the neurological processes. Immature regulatory processes and underdeveloped prefrontal cortex trigger an urge to consume a calorie rich diet. In turn diet is a crucial environmental factor that affects the overall brain development. A calorie rich diet has a negative impact on the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex leading to altered signaling and neurotransmitter systems. Thus it is important to understand the neuroscience underlying the erratic and impulsive eating behavior prevalent in teenagers all across the world. Obesity is only one of the obvious external indicators of poor health observed in adolescents however, the damage is much deeper. If not corrected timely, unhealthy dietary choices can have a long lasting and irreversible negative impact on the overall brain health.

Key words: adolescent brain, dietary choices, prefrontal cortex, teen brain health.