Cortisol increases while DHEA decreases obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance. Meals activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in adults. This study was undertaken to investigate whether meals acutely alter both cortisol and DHEA in adolescents. Three girls and two boys aged 12-17 were admitted to the GCRC overnight and given a standard lunch at noon the next day while blood was drawn frequently before and after. DHEA, DHEA-S, cortisol and insulin were measured. To compare and average results, values for each hormone immediately before the meal were called unity and all other values expressed as a fraction. Insulin levels rose rapidly with consumption of the meal, documenting that each person ate. The results of steroid hormone analysis showed that the consumption of the meal led to a rapid, nearly 2 fold, increase in the level of cortisol, which peaked around 45 minutes after the meal began. DHEA increased similarly, but its increase was to only 140% of the premeal value. DHEA-S barely changed. The level of cortisol returned to baseline within 2 hours of the meal. DHEA likewise returned to baseline but sooner. It is concluded that meals acutely increase cortisol and DHEA levels in children in a manner similar to that we found in adults. Differences between individual's steroid responses may explain obesity or body fat distribution.