Social media is full of food ads that aren’t healthy.  

Teenagers see a lot of these posts every day, and the more they watch them, the more likely they are to like or eat junk food.  

Researchers asked 1, 002 teens how often they saw food messages from different people: friends, popular online personalities, famous stars, brands, and health groups.  

The teens said they saw junk‑food posts from friends, celebrities, influencers, and brands far more often than healthy‑food ones.  

When teens saw many of these unhealthy posts, they also liked junk food more and ate it more often.  

Only the healthy messages from official health organizations were linked to teens actually eating good food.  

This shows that who shares a message matters a lot.  

If kids see junk food promoted by their peers or popular online figures, they are more likely to follow suit.  

Regulating how these influencers and brands talk about food could help protect teens’ diets.


# Social Media Food Ads Shape Teen Eating Habits

Social media is saturated with food ads that often promote unhealthy options.  
Teenagers encounter these posts daily, and the more they see them, the higher the likelihood that they’ll *like* or actually eat junk food.

**Study Snapshot**

- **Participants:** 1,002 teens  
- **Sources Surveyed:** friends, popular online personalities, famous stars, brands, and health groups  

**Key Findings**

| Source | Frequency of Junk‑Food Posts | Impact on Teen Preferences |
|--------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|
| Friends, Celebrities, Influencers, Brands | *Much higher* than healthy‑food posts | Teens reported increased liking for and consumption of junk food |
| Official Health Organizations | *Low frequency* | Only these messages correlated with teens eating healthier foods |

**Takeaway**

The *who* behind the message matters. When peers or popular figures promote junk food, teens are more inclined to follow suit. Regulating how influencers and brands discuss food could safeguard adolescents’ dietary choices.



Teen Food Choices and Who Tells Them

Actions

Source	Frequency of Junk‑Food Posts	Impact on Teen Preferences
Friends, Celebrities, Influencers, Brands	Much higher than healthy‑food posts	Teens reported increased liking for and consumption of junk food
Official Health Organizations	Low frequency	Only these messages correlated with teens eating healthier foods