What is a common consequence of long-term dieting in adolescents?

Long-term dieting in adolescents often leads to nutritional deficiencies due to the restriction of essential nutrients that are necessary for their growth and development. Adolescents are at a critical stage of life where they require a balanced intake of calories and nutrients to support not only their physical growth but also their cognitive and emotional development.

When adolescents engage in prolonged dieting, they may avoid certain food groups or severely limit their caloric intake, which can result in insufficient consumption of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This can subsequently lead to a range of health issues, including weakened immune function, impaired bone health, and reduced muscle mass, among others.

The other options, while they may seem appealing, are generally not outcomes of long-term dieting. For instance, increased physical endurance, improved cognitive function, and heightened energy levels are typically associated with well-balanced diets that provide ample nutrition, rather than restrictive dieting that may limit essential food intake.