Combating obesity through technology and school based interventions

Abstract

Over the past 12 years media multitasking has been on the rise with much of the multi-media increase being computer usage while watching television. Since media multitasking is already occurring, disrupting negative behaviors through media multitasking may lead to changes in snacking behavior and overall energy intake in adolescents and adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the potential to disrupt snacking behavior associated with television watching through the use of multitasking. Twenty-three men and 27 women (aged 25 ± 4 y, BMI 25.2 ± 4.1 kg/m 2 and 23 ± 4 y, BMI 25.5 ± 6.4 kg/m 2) participated, each completing both the control (watching a movie) and treatment (watching a movie while online chatting) activities. We observed sex differences with females consuming significantly more popcorn while chatting (P = .051) compared to males who consumed significantly more popcorn while not chatting (P = .041). Chip consumption was significantly greater (P = .026) when not chatting for all participants. We also observed weight status and sex differences with more (P<0.05) overweight and obese females consuming cookies white chatting compared to significantly more (P<0.05) overweight and obese males consuming popcorn while not chatting. Therefore media multitasking have negative implications for females, especially those who are overweight or obese.