Young people’s diet in Morocco is under the spotlight: a recent study highlights a gap between 18–24 year olds and adults aged 25 to 64. Young adults record less favourable scores when it comes to eating practices, reopening the debate on habits formed at the start of independent life.
The study, published in 2026, is based on the responses of 1,035 Moroccan adults. It analyses their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding healthy eating.
Young adults rank lower on healthy eating practices
The results reveal a difference between the two main age groups covered by the study.
Participants aged 25 to 64 achieve a better average score for eating practices than those aged 18 to 24. The statistical analysis also confirms this association between age and dietary behaviour.
However, this difference does not mean that all young people eat badly. It points instead to a trend observed within the sample.
The study also identifies several eating behaviours that deserve particular attention. Some participants regularly consume ready-made foods or favour certain habits that are less compatible with a balanced diet. In particular, 34.2% report preferring ready-made meals to home cooking.
Young people’s diet: the move to independence can change habits
Between 18 and 24, daily routines change rapidly. Higher education, a first job, limited budgets or leaving the family home can all influence how food is bought and how meals are prepared.
Time also plays a role. Quick options can become more practical when young adults have to manage their own schedules.
But the study does not prove that lack of time or food prices directly explain the differences observed. Further research will be needed to clarify which factors most strongly influence food choices.
A study to interpret with caution
The findings provide useful insights, but they do not offer a complete picture of all Moroccan youth.
The sample includes 1,035 people, with a high proportion of urban and highly educated participants. Some 82.9% live in urban areas and 79.8% have at least one university degree. The authors therefore stress that the results cannot be generalised to the entire Moroccan population without further studies.
The study should be seen as an initial snapshot of eating behaviours. Above all, it paves the way for broader research involving more representative groups.
Why eating habits matter from a young age
Eating habits formed in early adulthood can shape future behaviour. When an unbalanced diet becomes the norm over time, it can contribute to several health risk factors.
The World Health Organization regularly underlines the importance of a varied diet that includes enough fruit, vegetables and fibre, while keeping salt, free sugars and saturated fats to a minimum.
In Morocco, the study shows that eating practices vary according to several factors, including age, gender, income level and region.
A warning sign, not a condemnation of young people
The study does not claim that young Moroccans all live on junk food. It highlights instead a difference in eating practices between 18–24 year olds and 25–64 year olds.
This finding underlines the importance of better understanding the obstacles faced by young people: access to fresh produce, budgets, nutrition knowledge, meal planning or the broader food environment.
The next step is therefore to explore these factors in greater depth through larger and more representative studies.
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