What the Evidence Says

A cross-sectional study of adolescents (8th and 9th grade) in metro schools across India found that taste was cited by over 50% of respondents as the primary reason for eating outside food. Other influencing factors were peer influence and the appeal of “trendy” snacks/foods. 
In a large survey of urban adolescents (aged 14-16) in Kolkata, over 70% of students reportedly consumed three or more servings of energy-dense snacks on the previous day, while a majority skipped servings of vegetables or fruits  a pattern reflecting weak diet quality.
A more recent qualitative study (2024-25) among adolescents in Varanasi found that snack behaviours are shaped by multiple socio-environmental factors: liking for “unhealthy snacks,” social media trends, school and neighborhood food environments, cost-convenience, and parental/peer norms. 

Why “Taste Trumps Nutrition”

Food preferences among adolescents are shaped strongly by sensory and social factors  flavors, crunchiness, sauces, spices, novelty, peer approval, and convenience play a major role. When ready-to-eat or fast food is easily available, affordable and socially accepted (or “cool”), it readily wins over home-cooked but “blander” meals or balanced diets.

Moreover, nutrition (vitamins, balanced proteins, vegetables) tends to lose out  even when awareness exists. A study in central Delhi with school adolescents found that although many recognized the health risks of junk food, a majority still regularly consumed such items for their taste. 

Health Consequences

Frequent consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat/high-sugar/high-salt (HFSS) foods among adolescents is linked to:

Poor diet quality: low intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses/legumes; insufficient dietary fibre/micronutrients. Elevated energy intake from processed foods: among Delhi adolescents, ultra-processed foods contributed ~16 % of daily calories  a non-trivial proportion often leading to overweight/obesity while lacking essential nutrients.
Risk of longer-term chronic illnesses: as dietary patterns cement in adolescence, early onset of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, micronutrient deficiencies, cognitive issues, and cardiovascular risks become more likely. 

The ‘Knowledge-Behaviour Gap’

Interestingly  knowing health risks does not always change behaviour. As one 2023 study noted, many adolescents admitted to unhealthy eating (skipping home-cooked meals, preferring snacks), even while acknowledging the detrimental effects. Their decisions were still driven by taste preference, convenience, social factors. efforts solely focused on raising awareness may not suffice  interventions need to address accessibility, affordability, social norms, peer contexts, and the broader food environment.