A new study has revealed that exposure to content featuring junk food on social networks can have an impact on mood, promote cravings, and influence users’ food choices. The study highlights the importance of improving media education, particularly among younger generations, and promoting mindful social media use.
Researchers at the Lebanese American University found that constant exposure to photos of junk food, particularly via the #foodporn hashtag on Instagram, can be detrimental to mood and may also contribute to weight gain. This demonstrates the potential influence of social networks on the habits and behaviors of their users, especially younger individuals.
Previous scientific studies have focused on the impact of social networks on users’ physical and mental well-being, including their body image. In this new randomised controlled trial, researchers specifically looked at the effects of images of junk food, which are prevalent on social platforms.
The study involved 63 participants aged 18 to 24 who completed a questionnaire and were then asked to browse through the feed of a control Instagram account or a feed filled with junk food images for 15 minutes. They then completed a survey on their perceived body image, mood, and food cravings. A week later, the groups were switched.
Findings published in the journal, Appetite, showed that exposure to #foodporn content was associated with increased feelings of hunger, sadness, and exhaustion, as well as greater cravings for fatty and salty foods. Participants exposed to junk food content were more likely to turn to this type of food and less likely to turn to healthy options. However, no association was found between junk food content and body image dissatisfaction.
The study concluded that exposure to junk food-related content negatively affects mood and cravings, subsequently influencing food choices. It also emphasized the need for interventions aimed at enhancing media literacy and promoting mindful social media use.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also found in 2022 that the visual cortex showed increased activity when images of appetizing food were presented, potentially explaining the appeal of such images to viewers. − AFP Relaxnews
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