Study finds teenagers eat too little produce and too much meat

A study by Yle shows that Finnish teenagers eat too little vegetables, berries and fruit, while boys eat more red meat than recommended and vocational school students consume more energy drinks than their peers.

The study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare examined the diets of nearly 2,000 lower secondary school, general upper secondary school and vocational school students over two days. The data was collected through interviews.

More than a quarter of vocational school students did not eat any fruit or berries during the study days. The proportion was lower among lower secondary and general upper secondary students.

Overall, only 5% of the teenagers reached the recommended daily intake of at least 500 grams of vegetables, berries and fruit. On average, they consumed only half of the recommended amount.

Boys eat too much red meat

Boys consumed significantly more meat than girls and exceeded the recommended amount by a wide margin. Almost nine in 10 boys ate more than the recommended 350 grams of red meat per week. On average, boys consumed nearly twice the recommended amount.

About one-third of girls also exceeded the recommendation, although their average consumption remained within the recommended limits.

The differences between boys and girls were also visible elsewhere in their diets. Boys consumed more dairy products, while girls consumed more vegetables, berries, fruit and whole grains in relation to their energy intake.

Teenagers drink less milk than before, but plant-based alternatives have not replaced it. They remain a small part of young people’s diets, although they are more popular among girls and general upper secondary students.

Energy drinks popular in vocational schools

Vocational school students consumed almost three times as many energy drinks as lower secondary students and nearly twice as many as general upper secondary students, according to the study.

The researchers concluded that the problem also lies in the surrounding environment, which does not sufficiently support young people in making healthy choices. This includes eating enough vegetables, berries, fruit, whole grains, legumes and fish.

The proposed solutions include education, greater responsibility for schools and municipalities, restrictions on sales and changes to taxation. The institute also says unhealthy foods should not be advertised to children and that healthier options should be given priority in shops.

It recommends banning the sale of energy drinks to people under 18.