Researchers in India interviewed 62 teenagers about their snacking habits to understand why they often choose unhealthy snacks instead of nutritious ones. The study found that teens’ snacking choices are influenced by many factors—including what their friends eat, what their parents allow, how much money snacks cost, advertisements they see, and what food options are available in their neighborhoods and schools. Understanding these influences can help parents, schools, and communities create better environments that make it easier for teenagers to choose healthier snacks.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What makes Indian teenagers choose unhealthy snacks over healthy ones, and what factors influence their snacking decisions?
  • Who participated: 62 teenagers aged 10-19 years old (average age 15) from four schools in Varanasi, India. Half were girls, and most attended private schools.
  • Key finding: Ten major factors influence teen snacking habits: personal taste preferences, peer influence, parental rules, cost, school food options, neighborhood food availability, food advertisements, timing of snacks, understanding of what counts as a snack, and awareness of snacking consequences.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent or educator, this research suggests that simply telling teens to eat healthier snacks won’t work. Instead, you need to address multiple influences—like making healthy snacks affordable and available, limiting junk food ads, and involving friends and family in healthy eating. However, this study was conducted in India, so results may not apply equally to all communities.

The Research Details

Researchers used a qualitative research approach, which means they asked open-ended questions and listened carefully to what teenagers said, rather than just collecting numbers. They interviewed 62 teenagers from four schools in Varanasi, India between November 2024 and February 2025. The interviews were conducted face-to-face in either Hindi or English, depending on what the teenagers preferred. All conversations were recorded, written down word-for-word, and then analyzed to find common themes and patterns in what the teenagers said about their snacking choices.

The researchers used a method called ‘inductive coding,’ which means they read through all the interview responses and identified common ideas and patterns that emerged naturally from what the teenagers said, rather than deciding ahead of time what patterns to look for. This approach helps researchers discover new insights that they might not have expected.

This research approach is valuable because it allows teenagers to explain snacking choices in their own words, revealing reasons that might not show up in surveys with yes-or-no answers. By listening to real conversations, researchers can understand the complex mix of personal, family, social, and environmental factors that influence eating habits. This deeper understanding helps create more effective solutions.

This study has several strengths: it included both boys and girls, students from both government and private schools, and used careful methods to record and analyze the interviews. However, readers should know that this is a smaller study focused on one city in India, so the findings may not apply to all teenagers everywhere. The study was published in a reputable nutrition journal, which suggests it met quality standards. Since this is qualitative research (based on conversations rather than measurements), the findings describe patterns and themes rather than proving cause-and-effect relationships.

What the Results Show

The research identified ten major themes that influence how Indian teenagers choose snacks. First, teenagers have different ideas about what counts as a ‘snack’—some think of it as a small meal, while others think of any food eaten between main meals. Second, most teenagers admitted they like unhealthy snacks because they taste good, are convenient, and are often cheaper than healthier options.

Third, teenagers showed awareness that eating too many unhealthy snacks can cause weight gain and other health problems, yet they continued eating them anyway. Fourth, when teenagers eat snacks matters—many snack while studying, watching TV, or traveling to school. Fifth, cost is a major factor; teenagers often choose cheaper, less healthy snacks because they have limited money.

Sixth, parents’ rules about snacking significantly influence what teenagers eat at home. Seventh, peer influence is powerful—teenagers are more likely to eat snacks that their friends eat. Eighth, the food options available at school shape snacking choices. Ninth, what food is available in their neighborhood affects what they can access. Finally, food and beverage marketing—especially through social media and advertisements—influences teenagers’ desire for unhealthy snacks.

The study revealed that teenagers often skip meals (like breakfast or lunch) and then snack on high-energy, low-nutrition foods to fill the gap. This pattern is concerning because it means they’re not getting the balanced nutrition their growing bodies need. The research also showed that teenagers are aware of the difference between healthy and unhealthy snacks, but knowledge alone doesn’t change their behavior—they need support from their environment to make healthier choices.

These findings align with what researchers have discovered about teen snacking in other countries around the world. Studies from Europe, North America, and other regions have also found that peer influence, family rules, food availability, and marketing all affect what teenagers eat. This suggests that the factors influencing teen snacking are similar across different cultures and countries, though the specific snacks available may differ.

This study was conducted in only one city (Varanasi) in India, so the results may not represent all Indian teenagers or teenagers in other countries. The study included more private school students than government school students, which might mean the findings don’t fully represent all socioeconomic groups. Additionally, because this is qualitative research based on interviews, it describes patterns and themes rather than proving that one factor directly causes snacking behavior. The study also relied on what teenagers reported about their habits, which might not always be completely accurate.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based approaches (with moderate confidence, since this is one qualitative study): (1) Parents should set clear, reasonable rules about snacking while also making healthy snacks affordable and convenient at home. (2) Schools should improve their food environments by offering more nutritious snack options and limiting access to unhealthy choices. (3) Communities should work to make healthy snacks more available and affordable in neighborhoods. (4) Reduce exposure to junk food marketing, especially on social media. (5) Involve teenagers’ friends and peers in healthy eating initiatives, since peer influence is powerful.

Parents of teenagers, school administrators, public health officials, and policymakers in India and similar communities should pay attention to these findings. Teenagers themselves may find it helpful to understand what influences their snacking choices. However, these findings are most directly applicable to urban Indian adolescents; teenagers in other countries or rural areas may have different influences. Anyone making decisions about teen nutrition programs should consider these factors.

Changes in snacking habits typically take several weeks to months to become noticeable. If you implement environmental changes (like making healthy snacks more available), you might see shifts in teen snacking within 4-8 weeks. However, changing deeply ingrained habits and preferences usually takes 3-6 months or longer. Consistency is more important than speed.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track snacking occasions daily by recording: (1) What snack was eaten, (2) When it was eaten, (3) What triggered the snack (boredom, hunger, peer influence, advertisement), and (4) How hungry they were on a scale of 1-10. This helps identify patterns in when and why unhealthy snacking happens.
  • Use the app to set one specific, achievable snacking goal based on the identified barriers—for example: ‘Pack one healthy snack before school three days this week’ or ‘Eat one snack with a friend who chooses healthy options.’ Start with one small change rather than trying to change everything at once.
  • Weekly review of snacking patterns to identify which influences are strongest (cost, peer pressure, availability, cravings). Adjust strategies based on what’s actually happening, not just what you think should happen. For example, if cost is the main barrier, focus on affordable healthy options rather than willpower.

This research describes factors that influence snacking choices among urban Indian teenagers based on interviews with 62 participants in one city. It does not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations. If you have concerns about a teenager’s eating habits or nutrition, consult with a healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or qualified nutrition professional. This study’s findings are most applicable to similar populations in India and may not apply to all teenagers in all settings. Individual circumstances vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.