J Nutr Health.  2024 Jun;57(3):275-281. 10.4163/jnh.2024.57.3.275.

Effects of distractions such as audio, audiovisual, and hand-use on food intake and satiety ratings

• Shin S

• KMID: 2557897
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2024.57.3.275

Abstract

Purpose
Various forms of distraction can have different effects on food intake. Distraction can draw attention away from the food being consumed and inhibit monitoring of food intake This study examined the effects of different levels of distraction on eating behaviors.
Methods
The study was conducted using a repeated-measures design. The participants (10 males, 13 females) were served test meals (curry rice, 800 g) with the same volume at lunch for 4 weeks. The eating behaviors were analyzed during 4 distraction sessions: first session (without distraction), second session (audio distraction, radio), third session (audiovisual distraction, television), and fourth session (audiovisual distraction and hand-use, smartphone). The satiety ratings were measured using a 100 mm visual analog scale.
Results
The participants consumed more food during the fourth session than during other sessions. In addition, the mealtime duration in the fourth session was longer than that in the other sessions (audiovisual distraction and hand-use, 13.74 minutes vs. without distraction, 10.36 minutes; audio distraction, 8.31 minutes; and audiovisual distraction, 9.61 minutes; p < 0.05). As the satiety ratings obtained before and after consumption of the test meals in each distraction session, participants felt significantly more satiated 30 minutes after consuming the test meal in the first session than they did in the other distraction sessions (without distraction, 84.23 mm vs. audio distraction, 76.07 mm; audiovisual distraction, 68.93 mm; and audiovisual distraction and hand-use, 74.70 mm; p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Different levels of distraction can have different effects on eating behaviors and when distractions become diverse and selectable, food intake may be affected by distraction.

Keyword

eating behavior; smartphone; food intake; attention; television