A new US survey finds nearly one in four adolescents use food delivery apps during school, raising concerns over nutrition, safety, and inequality across regions and income groups.
Food delivery apps are changing the way teenagers eat during the school day, with a new US survey suggesting that almost one in four adolescents has used them while classes are in session. The research, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, points to a growing challenge for schools trying to balance nutrition, safety and student choice.
The survey, which asked 1,027 students aged 13 to 17 about their habits, found that fast food and sugar-sweetened drinks were the most common orders. Researchers reported that 58.8% of students who used delivery services said they ordered fast food, while 34.1% said they bought sugary beverages. By contrast, healthier options such as fruit, vegetables and grain bowls were far less common.
The findings also suggest that access is uneven. Students from lower-income households were more likely to report using delivery services, and patterns differed by race and region. The study said schools in the West were more likely to allow such deliveries than those in other parts of the country, although students there more often said cost kept them from using the apps.
Teenagers were split on whether schools should permit delivery orders during the day. About half supported the idea, often saying they wanted more choice or needed food that fit dietary or religious needs. Others warned that app-based deliveries could disrupt lessons, create unfairness for families who cannot afford them, or bring safety concerns if outside drivers were allowed on school grounds. The researchers argued that schools and policymakers may need to think beyond the cafeteria and address the digital food environment as well as the physical one.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
