Researchers surveyed over 2,000 parents in five Mediterranean countries to understand why children and teenagers eat so much unhealthy ultra-processed food—like packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food. They found that most kids eat these unhealthy foods every single day. The study discovered that older kids, kids who are overweight, kids who eat out more often, and kids who spend lots of time on screens tend to eat more junk food. Interestingly, having more educated parents was also linked to higher junk food consumption. The researchers concluded that eating too much processed food is connected to an overall unhealthy lifestyle in young people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How often children and teenagers in Mediterranean countries eat unhealthy ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks, fast food, and sugary drinks) and what factors influence these eating habits
  • Who participated: Parents of 2,011 children and teenagers between ages 6 and 17 living in five Mediterranean countries answered questions about their kids’ eating and lifestyle habits
  • Key finding: Most children in the study ate unhealthy ultra-processed foods every day. Older kids, kids with obesity, kids who eat out frequently, and kids who watch screens for long periods consumed the most junk food
  • What it means for you: If you have kids, this research suggests that screen time, eating out often, and an overall inactive lifestyle are connected to eating more junk food. Making changes to these habits may help reduce unhealthy food consumption, though this study shows associations rather than proving cause-and-effect

The Research Details

This was a survey-based study where researchers asked parents in five Mediterranean countries about their children’s eating habits and lifestyle. The parents answered questions about how often their kids ate unhealthy ultra-processed foods—foods that are heavily processed and contain too much fat, sugar, or calories. They also provided information about their family’s demographics (age, education level), eating patterns (how often they eat out, number of meals per day), and lifestyle habits (screen time, physical activity).

The researchers then looked for patterns—which kids ate the most junk food and what they had in common. This type of study is called a ‘cross-sectional’ study because it takes a snapshot of information at one point in time, rather than following families over months or years.

The study included children and teenagers aged 6 to 17 years old from five Mediterranean countries, making it a fairly large and geographically diverse sample. This approach allowed researchers to see real-world eating patterns in a specific region known for the Mediterranean diet.

This research approach is important because it captures how kids actually eat in their daily lives, rather than in a controlled lab setting. By surveying parents across multiple countries, the researchers could identify common patterns and factors that influence junk food consumption in a real-world context. Understanding these associations helps public health experts and parents identify which lifestyle factors might be most important to address when trying to improve children’s diets.

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of families (over 2,000), it covered multiple countries, and it looked at many different factors that might influence eating habits. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. The study relied on parents reporting their children’s eating habits, which might not be completely accurate—parents might forget or underestimate how much junk food their kids eat. Additionally, because this is a survey at one point in time, we can’t be sure whether unhealthy lifestyles cause kids to eat more junk food, or whether eating junk food leads to unhealthy lifestyles. The study shows these things are connected, but not necessarily which one causes the other.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was that the vast majority of children in the study consumed unhealthy ultra-processed foods on a daily basis. This means that eating packaged snacks, fast food, sugary drinks, and similar products has become a normal part of most kids’ daily routines in Mediterranean countries.

The research identified several factors associated with higher consumption of these unhealthy foods. Older children (teenagers) ate more junk food than younger children. Children who were overweight or obese also consumed more unhealthy ultra-processed foods. Additionally, children whose parents had higher education levels consumed more of these unhealthy foods—which was somewhat surprising to researchers, as education is often associated with healthier choices.

Lifestyle factors played a significant role. Children who ate meals outside the home more frequently consumed more unhealthy ultra-processed foods. Similarly, children who had a higher number of meals per day were more likely to eat unhealthier options. Screen time was another important factor—kids who spent more time watching screens, playing video games, or using devices consumed more junk food. Finally, children with lower overall healthy lifestyle scores (meaning less physical activity, worse eating habits, and other unhealthy behaviors) ate significantly more unhealthy ultra-processed foods.

The study revealed that eating patterns and lifestyle choices are deeply interconnected. Children who eat out more frequently face greater exposure to ultra-processed foods, which tend to be more available and convenient in restaurants and fast-food establishments. The connection between screen time and junk food consumption suggests that sedentary behavior may be linked to poor dietary choices—perhaps because kids snack while watching screens, or because the marketing of unhealthy foods targets young viewers. The overall finding that unhealthy ultra-processed food consumption is part of a broader unhealthy lifestyle pattern (rather than an isolated issue) suggests that addressing one aspect of lifestyle might help improve others.

This research aligns with previous studies from other parts of the world showing that ultra-processed food consumption is increasing among children and adolescents. The Mediterranean region has traditionally been known for healthier eating patterns (the Mediterranean diet), so finding such high daily consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods in this area suggests a significant shift in eating habits. The connection between screen time and poor diet quality has been documented in other research as well. However, the finding about parental education being associated with higher junk food consumption differs from some previous research and may reflect unique cultural or economic factors in Mediterranean countries that deserve further investigation.

Several important limitations should be considered when interpreting these findings. First, the study relied entirely on parent reports, which may not be completely accurate—parents might not know exactly what their children eat when they’re at school or with friends, or they might underestimate portion sizes. Second, this was a snapshot study taken at one point in time, so we cannot determine whether unhealthy lifestyles cause kids to eat more junk food or whether eating junk food leads to unhealthy lifestyles. Third, the study shows associations (things that occur together) but cannot prove that one thing causes another. Fourth, the study only included families who agreed to participate in the survey, which might mean the results don’t represent all children in Mediterranean countries. Finally, the study didn’t measure actual nutritional intake in detail, relying instead on frequency of consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, parents and caregivers in Mediterranean countries should consider: (1) Reducing screen time for children, as it’s associated with higher junk food consumption—aim for age-appropriate limits on device use; (2) Limiting how often children eat meals outside the home, or choosing healthier options when eating out; (3) Encouraging overall healthy lifestyle habits including physical activity, as these appear to be connected to better food choices; (4) Being mindful that even well-educated parents should monitor their children’s ultra-processed food intake, as education level alone doesn’t guarantee healthy eating. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows associations rather than proving cause-and-effect relationships.

Parents and caregivers of children aged 6-17 in Mediterranean countries should pay particular attention to these findings. Healthcare providers, school administrators, and public health officials in these regions should also consider these results when developing programs to improve children’s nutrition. Policymakers might use this information to develop strategies addressing screen time and out-of-home eating. However, these findings are most directly applicable to Mediterranean countries and may not apply equally to other regions with different food systems and cultural eating patterns.

Changes in eating habits typically take time to establish. If families begin reducing screen time and limiting out-of-home eating, they might notice improvements in food choices within 2-4 weeks as new routines develop. However, significant changes in overall diet quality and health outcomes usually take several months to become apparent. Building sustainable healthy lifestyle habits is a gradual process, and consistency matters more than perfection.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily screen time (hours per day) and number of meals eaten outside the home per week. Create a simple log where parents record these two factors and correlate them with their child’s reported junk food consumption. This helps identify personal patterns and whether reducing screen time or eating out less frequently leads to fewer ultra-processed food choices.
  • Use the app to set a specific, achievable goal such as ‘Reduce screen time by 30 minutes on school days’ or ‘Limit eating out to 2 times per week instead of 4.’ The app can send reminders for screen time limits and suggest healthier meal options for days when eating out is planned. Users can also track the number of home-cooked meals per week as a positive behavior to increase.
  • Establish a weekly check-in where parents review their child’s screen time, eating-out frequency, and estimated ultra-processed food consumption. Use the app to create a simple visual dashboard showing trends over 4-week periods. Set monthly goals to gradually reduce unhealthy ultra-processed food consumption by addressing the lifestyle factors identified in this research (screen time, eating out frequency, overall activity level).

This research shows associations between lifestyle factors and junk food consumption in children, but does not prove that one causes the other. The findings are based on parent reports and apply specifically to Mediterranean countries. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. Parents concerned about their child’s diet or health should consult with a pediatrician or registered dietitian who can provide personalized guidance based on their child’s individual needs and circumstances.