Researchers asked nearly 144,000 teenagers across India what influences their food choices. They found that ads, food labels, price, and taste all play big roles in what teens eat. More than two-thirds of teens said food advertisements influence what they buy, while about one-third said healthy foods cost too much. The study suggests that making healthy foods cheaper, more available, and tastier could help Indian teenagers eat better and stay healthier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What factors influence the food choices of teenagers in India and how their food environment could be improved to support healthier eating
  • Who participated: 143,878 teenagers aged 10-19 years from all 36 states of India, surveyed online and offline between June and November 2022
  • Key finding: More than two-thirds of teens (67.6%) said food advertisements influence their choices, about one-third (30.7%) said healthy foods are too expensive, and nearly three-quarters (72.6%) read food labels but find them confusing
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teen or parent, this shows that food ads, prices, and label clarity significantly affect eating habits. Making healthy foods more affordable and easier to understand could help teens make better food choices, though individual preferences and family habits also matter.

The Research Details

Researchers created a survey and shared it through U-Report, a messaging tool by UNICEF that reaches young people. The survey was available in 12 different Indian languages and could be completed online or on paper. Teenagers aged 10-19 years from across India answered questions about what influences their food choices, including ads, prices, taste, and how they read food labels. The survey ran from June to November 2022, and researchers collected responses from nearly 144,000 teenagers across all 36 Indian states.

This approach is called a cross-sectional survey, which means researchers asked many people questions at one point in time to understand their current thoughts and behaviors. It’s like taking a snapshot of what teenagers think about food rather than following them over months or years.

This study is important because it asks teenagers themselves what influences their food choices, rather than just guessing. By surveying such a large and diverse group across all of India, the findings likely represent what many Indian teenagers experience. Understanding these real-world factors helps policymakers and health experts create better solutions for improving teen nutrition.

Strengths: The study included a very large number of participants (nearly 144,000) from all regions of India, making the findings representative of Indian teenagers broadly. The survey was available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility. Limitations: The study only captured what teenagers reported at one moment in time, so we can’t know if their answers would be the same later. The survey was voluntary, so it may have attracted teenagers more interested in health topics. We don’t have detailed information about who didn’t respond, which could affect the results.

What the Results Show

The research revealed several major factors affecting teen food choices in India. Food advertisements had the strongest influence, with nearly 68% of teenagers saying ads affect what they choose to eat. This suggests that marketing and promotional messages are powerful in shaping teen eating habits.

Price emerged as a significant barrier to healthy eating. About 31% of teenagers said they cannot eat healthy foods because they cost too much. This is a critical finding because it shows that even when teens want to eat healthier, their family’s budget may prevent them from doing so.

Taste preferences also matter, with about 15% of teens saying they don’t eat healthy foods because they don’t find them tasty. This indicates that making nutritious foods more appealing in flavor could encourage better choices.

Interestingly, most teenagers (nearly 73%) reported reading food labels on packages, showing they care about nutrition information. However, 63% said the nutrition information on packages is too complicated and should be simplified, suggesting that even interested teens struggle to understand what they’re reading.

The study found that teenagers across different regions of India had similar concerns, indicating these are widespread issues rather than problems in just one area. The fact that such a large and diverse group of teenagers participated suggests these findings apply to many young people throughout India, not just a small group.

Previous research has shown that food environments—the places where people live and the foods available to them—significantly shape eating habits. This study confirms those findings in the Indian context and adds important details about what specifically influences Indian teenagers. The strong influence of advertising aligns with global research showing that marketing affects teen food choices worldwide. The price barrier is also consistent with studies from other countries showing that low-income families struggle to afford healthy foods.

The study asked teenagers to report their own experiences, which may not always be completely accurate. Some teenagers may have answered based on what they think they should say rather than what they actually do. The survey was voluntary, so teenagers interested in health topics may have been more likely to participate than others. The study captured responses at one point in time, so we don’t know if these factors remain important over months or years. Finally, while the study identifies problems, it doesn’t test whether proposed solutions (like making healthy foods cheaper or improving labels) would actually work.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, several evidence-based actions could help Indian teenagers eat healthier: (1) Make healthy foods more affordable through subsidies or price reductions—this addresses the biggest barrier identified; (2) Regulate food advertising to reduce promotion of unhealthy foods to teenagers; (3) Simplify nutrition labels on food packages so teenagers can easily understand them; (4) Make healthy foods more available in schools and communities where teens spend time. These recommendations have moderate to strong support from this research, though testing their effectiveness would require additional studies.

Teenagers and their families should care about these findings because they reveal real barriers to healthy eating. Parents can use this information to understand why their teens make certain food choices and work to address these barriers at home. School administrators should care because schools are where many teens spend significant time and make food choices. Government policymakers should prioritize these findings when creating nutrition policies. Food companies should consider these insights when developing and marketing products to teenagers. Healthcare providers should understand these environmental factors when counseling teens about nutrition.

Changes in teen food choices won’t happen overnight. If prices of healthy foods decreased or advertising changed, it might take several weeks to months for teenagers to notice and adjust their habits. Simplifying food labels could have a faster effect since teens already read them. Long-term improvements in teen health from better food choices would likely take months to years to become visible in health measurements.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly spending on healthy versus unhealthy foods and note which foods your teen actually purchases. Record specific barriers encountered (price, taste, availability) when trying to choose healthier options to identify patterns.
  • Use the app to set a specific goal like ‘Read one food label per shopping trip’ or ‘Try one new healthy food this week.’ Create reminders when passing stores or restaurants to check nutrition information before ordering. Set price alerts for healthy foods on sale to overcome the affordability barrier.
  • Monthly, review which barriers (ads, price, taste, label confusion) most affected your teen’s choices. Track whether specific interventions (like buying cheaper healthy options or trying new recipes) improved food choices. Monitor overall dietary patterns quarterly to see if environmental improvements lead to better nutrition.

This research describes factors that influence teenage food choices in India but does not provide medical advice. Individual dietary needs vary based on age, health conditions, and personal circumstances. Parents and teenagers should consult with healthcare providers or registered dietitians for personalized nutrition guidance. While this study identifies barriers to healthy eating, it does not test whether specific interventions would work for your family. Any significant changes to a teenager’s diet should be discussed with a healthcare professional, especially if the teen has existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.