Question

Why do teenagers eat loads of junk food? ​

Answer 1

It's typically high in things like salt, sugar and fat, which trigger pleasure centers in our brains, making us feel oh-so-yummy-good and encouraging us to keep eating. See, our brains are relatively big and require a lot of energy to do their thing. So we evolved to love high-energy food.

Answer 2

Additionally, teens have increased dopamine receptors, which can make consumption of sweet and calorie-dense foods feel like a more “rewarding”​ experience and lead to a pattern of unhealthy food choices, according to the study.