Ages 18–25: A Critical Period for Changes in Health Behaviors

The lifestyle changes that accompany the transition to adulthood are numerous: leaving the family home, making independent decisions, an unstructured daily routine (class schedules, etc.), and the influence of peers and evolving social groups… can all contribute to the development of unhealthy eating habits. But this is also a period during which healthy habits can be established and maintained into adulthood by addressing the main barriers identified to a varied and balanced diet: cost, lack of time, and lack of skills and resources.

A campaign closely aligned with young people’s lives

“The goal of this new campaign is to inspire 18- to 25-year-olds to prepare healthy, quick, and affordable meals by improving the image of eating better without sacrificing enjoyment and without making them feel guilty,” explains Anne-Juliette Serry, head of the nutrition unit at Santé publique France.

Named “en 2-2”—a slang term among young people meaning “quickly”—this campaign demonstrates that “eating well on a tight budget, even when you’re short on time, skills, and equipment, is possible.”

Thus, six delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make recipes will be shared on the website mangerbouger.fr/recettes-en-2-2 and on its Instagram account @mangerbougerfr. On the menu: croque madame, red lentil curry, microwave-cooked butternut squash, shakshuka, tuna and tomato samosas, and carrot and chickpea salad. These varied, appetizing dishes can be prepared in just a few simple steps.

A video clip introduces the “2-2” recipe concept and invites viewers to discover six simple recipes at mangerbouger.fr/recettes-en-2-2. This colorful, upbeat clip will run from November 2 to 29 on social media platforms popular with 18- to 25-year-olds—Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch—as well as on screens at some thirty university campuses across France.

Squeezie, who has a large following among young people, is promoting better eating and joining the “En 2-2” challenge

With over 6.5 million followers on Instagram, Squeezie is partnering with MangerBouger to discuss food, health, and enjoyment in a humorous and educational way.

During the lockdown last spring, the young man had actually addressed this topic in a video viewed over 6.7 million times, in which he prepares an elaborate recipe, despite admitting he only knows how to cook pasta and rice.

He’s taking on the challenge of making the six recipes proposed by En 2-2, inviting his community to try them at home, prioritize homemade meals, and reduce their consumption of ready-made meals and ultra-processed foods.

The first video, in which he makes the first three recipes, will be available on November 2 on his Instagram account: @xsqueezie.