Could action-packed TV fare make viewers fat? Or could high-minded public affairs programs make them thin? Either case might be implied by the results of a new study that found students snacked more while watching fast-paced television than viewing a more leisurely paced talk show.
THE SKINNY: Cornell University researchers randomly assigned almost 100 undergraduates to watch one of three 20-minute sessions: The Island, a 2005 sci-fi thriller starring Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor; that same movie but without the sound; or the Charlie Rose show, a public television interview program.
The students all had access to generous amounts of cookies, M&M's candies, carrots and grapes.
During The Island, students ate on average about 7 ounces (207 grams) of various snack foods, and 354 calories.
That was almost 140 calories more and nearly double the ounces they ate watching interviewer Charlie Rose. Watching the movie without sound, they also ate more -- almost 100 calories more -- compared with the Charlie Rose group.
THE THEORY: The faster-paced TV seemed to distract viewers more, contributing to mindless eating, said Cornell researcher Aner Tal, the study's lead author. The results suggest that a steady diet of action TV could raise risks for packing on pounds.
LIMITATIONS: The study was small and didn't last long enough to measure any long-term effects on the students' weight. It's also possible some viewers would find talk shows or other slower-paced TV more distracting and would be more apt to snack more during those shows than when watching action-packed programs.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Tal suggests viewers take steps to prevent mindless snacking by avoiding or limiting high-calorie snacks when watching TV.
ActiveStyle on 09/08/2014