May 2004 Issue--In a survey of 500 teenagers, BuzzBack LLC (New York) found that teenagers may share the same overall opinions of food options, although the rationale can differ greatly by gender. Overall, teens are looking for healthful, sweet snacks and fast foods with easily recognizable brands (see chart), but females have more nutritional concerns and are more likely to try new products. Male teens, meanwhile, were more apt to eat energy snacks and full meals.
For that matter, boys simply eat more than girls and readily admit to eating “whatever is available.” They eat an average of 2.3 full meals per day, compared to 2.0 for girls. Boys hold a similar lead in the snacking area, consuming 3.3 snacks daily compared to girls' 3.1.