Craving the screen: Impact of digital food content on eating behaviours and body weight among young adults

This study explores the influence of digital food-related content on eating behaviors and body weight among young adults aged 25-45 in Trivandrum, Kerala. With the proliferation of food-related imagery on social media platforms, the research examines how digital engagement shapes eating habits, emotional responses to food, and body mass index (BMI). A sample of 350 participants was assessed using the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) and a structured survey on digital food content engagement. Results reveal that 31.4% of participants reported increased appetite upon exposure to food stimuli, and 39.2% experienced heightened hunger in social dining settings. Emotional overeating was common, particularly in response to stress, with 40% of respondents acknowledging this tendency. The study also found a significant positive correlation between eating behavior and BMI (r = 0.166) and between eating behavior and engagement with online food content (r = 0.156). A notable portion of the sample (54.27%) was categorized as overweight or obese, underscoring the role of digital media in shaping dietary habits and possibly contributing to weight gain. These findings highlight the complex relationship between digital food exposure, emotional eating, and body weight, emphasizing the need for interventions that address both physical health and the digital environment's influence on eating behaviors. Given the rising popularity of food content on social media, this study provides insights into the potential impact of digital food culture on dietary choices, health outcomes, and weight management among young adults.