Archive · 13 Jan 2026
School Programs Reduce Junk Food Intake in Adolescents
A new study found that school programs can help teenagers eat less junk food.
Researchers in India tested a program in schools where they taught students about healthy eating.
The students who joined the program ate over 1,000 fewer calories from junk food like snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food every day.
They also ate about 270 fewer calories from other processed foods.
However, the students did not eat more fruits or home-cooked meals, showing that it's easier to cut out unhealthy food than to start eating healthy food.
The parents of the students did not change their eating habits much, which means schools have a big influence on what teenagers eat.
The study suggests that schools can help prevent future health problems by teaching students about healthy eating.
A school-based behavioural intervention program reduced ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption by over 1,000 calories per day among Grade 8 adolescents in Chandigarh, India.
The program included 11 sessions for adolescents and one educational session for parents over six months.
Participants consumed significantly less junk food, including packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food.
The study found that reducing unhealthy food intake is easier than increasing healthy food consumption.
Parents' eating patterns showed little change, highlighting the unique influence of schools on teenage behaviour.
- Who
- Grade 8 adolescents and their parents from 12 public schools in Chandigarh, India
- What
- A school-based behavioural intervention program to reduce ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption
- When
- Over a period of six months
- Where
- Chandigarh, India
- Why
- To address the rising health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancers in adolescents and teenagers due to higher intake of UPFs
School-Based Interventions
Parental Involvement
Effectiveness in Reducing UPF Consumption
School-Based Interventions
School-based behavioral interventions significantly reduced ultra-processed food consumption by over 1,000 calories per day among adolescents.
Parental Involvement
Parental involvement through educational sessions did not lead to significant changes in parents' eating patterns, highlighting the limited influence of such interventions on family-wide dietary habits.
- Study Location
- Chandigarh, India
- Participants
- Grade 8 adolescents and their parents from 12 public schools
- Program Duration
- 6 months
- Calories Reduced
- Over 1,000 calories per day from UPFs
- Other Processed Foods Reduced
- About 270 calories per day
- Journal Published
- BMJ Global Health
- Research Institutions
- PGIMER, Chandigarh; Imperial College London, UK; Public Health Foundation of India
Sources
School Programmes Can Lower Junk Food Intake And Help Combat Childhood Obesity, Finds Study
Study shows school programmes can cut junk food intake by 1,000 calories daily
Indian study shows school programmes can cut junk food intake by 1,000 calories
