When the camera eats first: Exploring how meal-time cell phone photography affects eating behaviours

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Nutritional Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Cell phone technology advancements can influence eating behaviors.
• The use of cell phone camera functions during meals is a growing area of interest.
• Understanding the relationship between meal-time photography and eating patterns is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent of cell phone camera use during meals.
• To determine if meal-time photography is associated with pathological eating tendencies.
• To assess the impact of photographing food on food intake and enjoyment.

Main Methods:

• Experience sampling method used to track meal-time photography over one week in 137 young adults.
• Analysis of meal-time photography frequency and association with external eating scores.
• Laboratory-based experiment comparing food vs. non-food photography effects on eating behavior.

Main Results:

• A low base rate of meal-time photography (5.44%) was observed.
• Individuals photographing meals exhibited higher external eating scores, indicating eating in response to external cues.
• No significant difference in food intake or enjoyment was found based on photographing food versus non-food items.

Conclusions:

• Meal-time photography is associated with external eating tendencies but not necessarily pathological eating.
• The act of photographing food does not appear to alter the quantity or enjoyment of food consumed.
• Cell phone photography likely plays a limited role in disrupting eating patterns within an obesogenic environment.