The prevalence of obesity has grown worldwide in all age groups, especially among adolescents. In this sense, the analysis of eating behavior such as craving for sweets is essential to a better understanding of the factors that contribute to food choices and overweight in adolescence. So, the objective of the present study was to investigate the association of craving for sweets and overweight among teenagers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 132 adolescents (64 males and 68 females) aged 15-19 years, from a public school located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Taste Attitude Scale was applied to analyze craving for sweets. Anthropometric and body composition measurements as weight, height, body mass index and body fat percentage were evaluated. Comparisons between groups were made by Student´s t-test and statistical analyzes were performed by PASW 17.0 software, with significance level of 5%. Craving for sweets was associated with overweight and sweet intake in both gender (P<0.05). Females had higher values of craving for sweets score (22.88±4.77 vs 18.89±5.81) and body fat percentage (25.33±6.60 vs 15.14±7.47) as compared with males (P<0.05). Other studies described in the literature have shown that craving for sweets is more common in females and it may be explained by a complex system of hormonal, psychological and cultural interactions. In this sense, females are more emotional eaters than males. Therefore, we conclude that the intense desire for sweets can lead to a high sweets consumption and overweight in adolescence, particularly among female individuals. It requires actions directed to healthier eating as well as the elaboration of candies and chocolates with reduced fat and sugar, yet with sensory appeal.