Greek teenagers opt for meat and desserts when they are hungry, shunning fish and other traditional Mediterranean dishes, according to research by the Greek Consumer Union and the Tzaneio Hospital which was made public yesterday.

Researchers found that up to 70 percent of senior high school students in Athens and Piraeus eat meat at least three times a week while 56 percent said they hardly ever eat fish even once a week.

More than half of the 985 students questioned also said that they were highly unlikely to eat pulses. But almost half of the teenagers said they usually have sweets or desserts at least four times a week.

Although 90 percent of those polled said that they can have a home-cooked meal every day, 20 percent said they prefer to eat fast food up to seven times a week.