By Hugo Francisco de Souza Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. Nov 9 2025 Despite the region’s reputation for healthy living, new research reveals that ultra-processed foods are increasingly prevalent in the diets of Mediterranean youth, linking poor eating habits with excessive screen time and modern lifestyle shifts. Study: Unhealthy Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Children and Adolescents Living in the Mediterranean Area: The DELICIOUS Project . Image Credit: Rimma Bondarenko /