Most teenage boys have big appetites, but with a taste for sugary, salty and fatty foods, they’re on their way to an alarmingly unhealthy weight.

An insatiable appetite is normal for growing boys – it’s what they’re fuelling themselves with that’s a worry.

A survey of eating habits by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found teenagers and young adults consume more chips, burgers and soft drinks than any other age group.

Fellas, it’s time to hold the fries!

Alarm Bells

The survey found over half of all teenage males aged 14-18 drank soft drinks the day prior to the survey interview, and one in four had a burger.

This means on a typical day, one in four teenage males consumes a burger, compared with one in 14 for the whole population, and one in five males in this age range also consume chips, compared with one in seven across the whole population.

It doesn’t stop there – the report also shows that teenagers and young adults are eating less fruit and vegetables. Across these age groups, 40 per cent of males and 50 per cent of females consumed fruit, compared with 60 per cent for the whole population.

The country’s growing overweight and obesity statistics reflect these shocking trends, and the solution is long overdue.

Better Habits

We know that one-third of all cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes, including eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight – so we need to get this right.

For starters, it’s crucial young Aussies get the best possible education about health and nutrition, including physical activity advice to help them live well and experience a better quality of life – and how eating well impacts the way we look, feel and perform.

Think about swapping the fries for some carrot sticks, and we’ll be well on our way to raising happy and healthy growing boys.

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Originally published at Mum Daily. Photo by KoolShooters.