At least two in five parents said their teen consumed protein supplements in the past year. Experts are warning this trend can put the teen's health at risk.
The University of Michigan Health's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital recently conducted a survey to determine how many teens are consuming protein supplements to up their protein intake. Two in five (41%) parents of teens aged 13 to 17 said their children took protein supplements. This increased to 46% among parents of teen boys and dropped to 36% among parents of teen girls.
Of all supplements, protein bars were mentioned by 29% of parents. This was followed by protein shakes (23%) and powder (15%). Only 4% said their teen was following a high-protein diet, the survey noted.
Why Do Teens Consume Protein Supplements
Parents of teens who consume protein supplements cited multiple reasons for their intake. Among parents of boys, 56% said it was to help their teen build muscles, and 54% said it was to improve their child's sports training. Among the parents of girls, 36% said it was to help improve sports performance while 34% said it was used to replace a meal when they are too busy to eat.
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At least 44% of parents whose teens use protein supplements said a family member encouraged their child to take the supplements while 26% cited coaches or trainers and 21% said they were encouraged by other students.
The survey was conducted in August and polled 989 parents.
Are Protein Supplements Good for Teens
Pediatric dietitians rarely advise teens to take protein supplements, per CNN Health, noting that the supplements are only recommended to individuals needed a restricted diet. For example, if the teen is a vegetarian or is following a vegan plan.
Additionally, some dietitians will also recommend protein supplements if the child is underweight or is a picky eater, according to WebMD.
Consuming protein supplements could put a teen at risk of developing health problems. Excessive intake could strain the teen's kidneys and liver. It could also cause digestive issues such as bloating and diarrhea, especially if the teen takes too much whey protein.
Moreover, protein powders are not evaluated by the FDA before they are sold on the market. This means teens could unknowingly consume other substances that may be harmful to the body.
