Reasons why teenagers choose fast food

It is no doubt that teenagers in the 21st century love fast food. But what are the reasons behind it?

Let us find out in my blog post today!

The first main important reason would be affordability. Teenagers usually would want to get something appetizing to eat as well as save some money for themselves. Most of the fast food restaurants now, as compared to stores selling local food, offer packaged value meals which tends to be more affordable for teenagers.

An example of a packaged value meal offered by 4 Fingers

The second reason is their abundant variety of food. Teenagers can mix and match with plenty of choices when dining at a fast food restaurant. In other words, they will never get bored of eating fast food. Some examples include Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Burger, Fish Burger, etc. 

The different variety of fast food offered by McDonald's

The third reason is that fast food tastes good. Most of the fast food nowadays are added with Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which makes it taste better. As a result, teenagers are more inclined to consume fast food due to the better taste. 

According to a survey I conducted on SurveyMonkey, receiving 15 responses from teenagers aged between 17 to 20 years old. 33% (5 out of 15) choose "Tastes Good" as the most important factor that they look out for when they purchase fast food, given the 5 different factors. 

Responses from Survey Monkey to find out the reasons why teenagers in Singapore prefer fast food

The fourth reason is the opening hours of fast food restaurants. Unlike other restaurants & hawker centres, fast food restaurants normally opens till late nights in which it is more convenient for teenagers to buy food when they are famished. On top of that, fast food restaurants also tend to be more comfortable and safer to hang out during late  nights as it is supervised by the staff in the particular restaurant. 

McDonald's 24/7 opening hours

In addition, some of the fast food restaurants tend to have a more conducive environment as it has installed air-conditioning as well as relaxing music. As a result, teenagers may be more inclined to chill and chat with their friends, as well as to study there. 

Conducive environment of Wendy's in Singapore

The last and most important reason is the exposure to fast food since young. Parents nowadays have started letting their children consume fast food from a very young age. This then carries on into their teenager and adult lives and in other words, becomes a habit.  By allowing their children to eat fast foods from such a tender age it also sort of gives their children the impression that eating fast food all the time is “normal”. But in fact, it is not. 

Child consuming fast food