Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on distracted eating among university students and the effect of mealtime smartphone use on appetite and snack consumption

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  • 新型コロナウイルス感染症の感染拡大が大学生の「ながら食べ」習慣に与えた影響とスマートフォンを用いた「ながら食べ」が食欲および摂食量に与える影響
  • シンガタ コロナ ウイルス カンセンショウ ノ カンセン カクダイ ガ ダイガクセイ ノ 「ナガラタベ」 シュウカン ニ アタエタ エイキョウ ト スマートフォン オ モチイタ 「ナガラタベ」 ガ ショクヨク オヨビ セッショクリョウ ニ アタエル エイキョウ

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Abstract

The effect of the spread of COVID-19 infection on eating habits (Study 1) and the effect of using a smartphone while eating on appetite and the amount of food consumed (Study 2) were investigated. Study 1: University students (n=137) answered a web-based questionnaire about their eating habits before (2019), during (2020), and after (2023) the spread of COVID-19 infection. Compared to 2019, the rate of eating with others (except for family) decreased, and the rate of eating while doing something else increased in 2020. In 2023, although the rate of eating with others increased from 2020, the rate of eating while doing something else remained similar to the level in 2020. Study 2: Healthy young females (n=15) performed two trials: using their smartphone and watching a short movie on their smartphone while eating snacks. Before and after eating, they indicated their fullness and hunger on a 100-mm visual analogue scale. After eating, the weights of the snacks were measured, and this was used to calculate the total intake of energy. There was no significant difference between the amounts of food or energy intake during the trials. The change in fullness and hunger in the movie trial were significantly correlated to energy intake, but not in the using trial. These results suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic may have triggered an increase in distracted eating, and using one’s smartphone while eating may interfere with the processing of satiety signals from food they consumed.

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