The Effect of Social Media on Eating Behaviours
- Conditions
- Non-Food PhotographyNo Phone UseFood Photography
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Non-Food PhotographyBehavioral: Food PhotographyBehavioral: No Phone Use
- Registration Number
- NCT03346798
- Lead Sponsor
- Yale-NUS College
- Brief Summary
This project aims to explore how social media use, in particular food photography, influences eating behaviours. It will be approached through three methods - a correlational experience sampling method, an experimental experience sampling method, and an experimental laboratory method. This registration describes the experimental laboratory method.
- Detailed Description
This project aims to explore how social media use, in particular food photography, influences eating behaviours.
The research question will be approached using a combination of methods. The first is the experience sampling method, where data is gathered from participants as they are going about their day-to-day lives. This method comprises two sub-sections - a correlational study, and an experimental study. The second approach is the experimental laboratory method, where participants will be randomly assigned to different conditions while given the opportunity to eat. This registration describes the experimental laboratory method.
Upon arrival at the lab, participants will first be required to fill in some online questionnaires (e.g. demographic information, mood rating scales). They will then be randomised to one of two conditions - to engage in food photography, or to engage in non-food photography - while eating some food and completing some rating scales. These photos will be taken with the intention of sharing on social media. Participants will then fill in some more online questionnaires, before leaving the lab. After the session, the amount of food consumed by the participants will be weighed.
As a control, all participants will be required to come back to the lab for a second visit one week later, where they will all complete the same eating and rating task, but without any phone use.
The expected outcome of the project is to collectively evaluate the data from the various methods to conclude how social media use, and in particular the act of food photography, influences the various aspects of eating behaviours.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
- Instagram user
- Symptoms / history of any medical or psychiatric conditions
- Allergies to food products
- History of eating disorders
- BMI: <18/ >28
- Excessive exercise (≥ 5 times a week of self-reported exercise)
- Currently on a special diet or deliberating restricting caloric intake
- Currently on a weight loss program
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Non-Food Photography No Phone Use On the first visit, participants will engage in non-food photography on their smart phones while eating. On the second visit, participants will not use their smart phones while eating. Non-Food Photography Non-Food Photography On the first visit, participants will engage in non-food photography on their smart phones while eating. On the second visit, participants will not use their smart phones while eating. Food Photography Food Photography On the first visit, participants will engage in food photography on their smart phones while eating. On the second visit, participants will not use their smart phones while eating. Food Photography No Phone Use On the first visit, participants will engage in food photography on their smart phones while eating. On the second visit, participants will not use their smart phones while eating.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Amount of food consumed 12 minutes Weight of food after completing the lab session
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Enjoyment of food consumed 12 minutes Self-reported rating between 1-10
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Yale-NUS College
🇸🇬Singapore, Singapore