The impact of screen time on eating has been characterized extensively through epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials. Based on this research, guidelines on media use have underscored the potential adverse effects of digital screens – particularly within a pediatric population.
Although previous studies have focused on television and video games, less is known about how smartphones affect eating behaviors and the risk of eating disorders. Phones differ from traditional digital screens because: (1) phone usage is inherently social; (2) the range of phone functions are extensive; (3) smartphones are highly portable and pervasive. These features suggest that when smartphones are brought to the dining table, they present new opportunities and challenges for the eating experience.
In this series, we will explore what it means to eat in an age of smartphones. This topic will be interpreted broadly and could include, for example:
-how phone use affects appetite regulation,
-whether phone use influences weight management,
-how phone use may alter food choice, etc.
Note: mHealth using smartphone apps (e.g., diet recording, dietary advice) is not the topic of this collection.
The impact of screen time on eating has been characterized extensively through epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials. Based on this research, guidelines on media use have underscored the potential adverse effects of digital screens – particularly within a pediatric population.
Although previous studies have focused on television and video games, less is known about how smartphones affect eating behaviors and the risk of eating disorders. Phones differ from traditional digital screens because: (1) phone usage is inherently social; (2) the range of phone functions are extensive; (3) smartphones are highly portable and pervasive. These features suggest that when smartphones are brought to the dining table, they present new opportunities and challenges for the eating experience.
In this series, we will explore what it means to eat in an age of smartphones. This topic will be interpreted broadly and could include, for example:
-how phone use affects appetite regulation,
-whether phone use influences weight management,
-how phone use may alter food choice, etc.
Note: mHealth using smartphone apps (e.g., diet recording, dietary advice) is not the topic of this collection.
