The World Health Organization (WHO) defines

adolescents as children between the ages of 10 and 19 years,[1] and according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are ~1.2 billion adolescents in the world.[2] Adolescence is a significant period characterised by vigorous growth and maturation, and increased nutritional requirements. More than 20 % of total growth in stature and up to 50 % of adult bone mass is achieved during this period.[3] Although the increased dietary needs are seldom met in adolescents, being overweight is an emerging problem among young people in both low- and high-income countries.[4] In developing countries, 21- 36 % of adolescents have a body mass index (BMI)>25 kg/m2, placing them in the overweight or obese categories.[2] A recent South African (SA) study by the Human Sciences Research Council[5] indicated that 16.7 % and 5.6 % of girls aged 10- 14 years were overweight and obese, respectively, which is higher than th