The eating habits of today’s youth are witnessing a noticeable shift, moving steadily away from traditional home-cooked meals toward fast and processed food. Burgers, pizzas, packaged snacks and sugary drinks have become regular choices, especially among children and adolescents.

This change is driven by easy availability, changing lifestyles, peer influence and increasing dependence on technology.
Parents and health experts are concerned as these food preferences are forming at an early age, replacing nutritious diets with caloriedense alternatives. The trend not only reflects evolving tastes but also signals a deeper public health challenge with long-term consequences for the younger generation.
For parents like Snober, this change is deeply worrying.
“My child is eating only junk food, primarily burgers. Whatever I prepare to give him to eat at home, he likes to have food from outside,” says Snober, a mother of two.
It is a common problem being witnessed by parents today as most children tend to develop a taste for fast food from an early age.
Snober’s experience reflects the struggle faced by many parents, who feel that control over their children’s diets is slowly slipping away.
Despite awareness about nutrition, the convenience and appeal of junk food often overpower parental advice, especially when children are exposed to advertisements and peer pressure from a young age.
Youngsters themselves offer mixed perspectives on this shift.
Sana, a college student, openly admits her preference for outside food.
“I like eating food from outside. It tastes better and is easily available. After college or when I am out with friends, we usually eat burgers, momos or pizza,” she says.
For Sana and many like her, fast food has become closely linked with social life and freedom, making it more attractive than routine home meals.
On the other hand, Mariya, another young respondent, says her choices fall somewhere in between.
“I like both home food and outside food. Home food is healthier but when I am busy or going out, I prefer junk food,” she explains.
Her response highlights a balancing act that some young people try to maintain, though experts warn that even moderate consumption can gradually increase over time.
Doctors observe that the diseases linked to lifestyle are being identified in adolescents and young people who would have been middle-aged.
Dr. Wasim states that the unhealthy food habits adopted in early life stages cannot be corrected in later life.
“When children choose junk food on a regular basis, it becomes a habit. Consequently, we are seeing young people with obesity, even displaying the initial stages of a possible life of metabolic disorders. It is a concern,” he said.
According to experts, parents can make or break their children’s food preferences.
Though complete elimination of junk food is impossible, its reduction in frequency along with the promotion of healthier options helps.
Nutritionists advocate eating together as a family, avoiding packaged snack storage at home, while encouraging children to eat fruits, vegetables and traditional foods.
Schools too, are being pressed to take responsibility for this growing issue.
Health advocates say educational institutions have to fully and completely ban all junk food in school premises and its environs. Instead, school canteens should provide wholesome meals in place of processed snacks.
Awareness programmes, workshops and regular health check-ups can help students understand the impact of their food choices.
Dr Wasim says schools are an excellent place to build lifelong habits.
“When children are educated early on about nutrition, they are more likely to make informed decisions as they grow older,” he said.
The evolving dietary patterns of the younger generation are a reflection of the change in society, but the effect on health should not be overlooked.
With fast food replacing traditional meals, the onus is on the government, school, society, and the family to bring about change for the better.