As teens gain more independence over what and when they eat, many parents find it difficult to talk about nutrition in ways that feel supportive rather than judgmental. That challenge may become even more pronounced during the holiday season, when gatherings often center on large meals and treats.
A new national poll from University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital suggests that while many parents recognize concerning eating patterns in their teens, relatively few offer concrete guidance to help them navigate food choices during holidays and other celebratory meals.
One in three parents surveyed said it is difficult to talk with their teen about food and weight. Among parents who believe their teen is overweight, that figure rose to more than half.
“Weight can be a sensitive topic with young people,” said Dr. Susan Woolford, co-director of the Mott Poll and a pediatrician at Michigan Medicine. “But parents play an important role in offering guidance and watching for problematic eating behaviors. The holiday season is a key opportunity for supportive, nonjudgmental conversations.”
The poll focused on parents’ perceptions of their teens’ eating habits. Only about half of parents said their teen eats three meals a day. Nearly one-third reported that their teen has no typical eating pattern, while 13% said their teen snacks throughout the day and 9% said their teen regularly skips breakfast.
Parents also described eating behaviors that may complicate efforts to maintain balanced nutrition. Just under one-third said their teen eats out of boredom or engages in mindless eating. Another 11% reported that their teen eats even after feeling full, and 10% said their teen eats in response to stress. These behaviors were reported more often by parents who described their teen as overweight.
Busy schedules appear to play a major role. Between school, extracurricular activities, work and social commitments, many teens fit meals in wherever they can.
“When teens are rushing between activities, they tend to grab whatever is quick and available,” Woolford said. “Often that means processed snacks or fast food that are higher in calories and lower in nutritional value.”
Despite these concerns, the poll found that relatively few parents offer specific strategies to help teens manage eating during large holiday meals. Only 8% suggested eating something nourishing ahead of time to avoid overeating, and 5% encouraged deciding in advance what to eat or avoid. A small number suggested choosing low-calorie foods, increasing exercise to offset intake, or dieting or fasting the next day.
More commonly, parents offered general direction such as “eat in moderation” or “eat whatever you want,” approaches that may leave teens without clear tools for navigating food-heavy situations.
“Even small, practical tips like having a healthy snack beforehand can help teens feel more in control at big meals,” Woolford said.
The poll also revealed signs of body image concerns. Fourteen percent of parents said they have heard their teen describe themselves as “too fat,” while 11% reported their teen talked about needing to diet or fast after a large meal. Eight percent said their teen wanted to hide their body with baggy clothes. These concerns were reported far more often among parents who described their teen as overweight.
Woolford noted that parents may avoid conversations about eating or weight out of fear of harming self-esteem. However, avoiding the topic altogether can allow unhealthy patterns to continue.
“If parents notice a teen expressing repeated negative thoughts about their body or showing unhealthy eating patterns, it’s a good time to reach out to the teen’s health care provider,” she said. “These conversations don’t have to be about appearance. They can focus on energy, strength and overall well-being.”
The findings are based on a nationally representative household survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The survey was administered in August 2025 to parents recruited from Ipsos’ web-enabled KnowledgePanel®, which is designed to reflect the U.S. population. Results were weighted using U.S. Census Bureau data.
This report focuses on responses from 970 parents of teens ages 13 to 17. The margin of error for the findings ranges from ±1 to 8 percentage points. The poll is a publication of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, the University of Michigan Department of Pediatrics and the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center.