A study of adolescent eating habits found that certain ultra-processed foods, such as candy, prepackaged pastries and frozen desserts, may act as a ‘gateway’ and lead to increased intake of other unhealthy foods. 43% of the adolescents estimated that they increased their consumption of ultra-processed foods between 2019, before pandemic restrictions were implemented, compared to 2022, after pandemic restrictions were lifted. 57% of adolescents estimated that they decreased their consumption of ultra-processed foods between 2019 and 2022.