Marathon Television Viewing Affects Eating Habits

Marathon viewing has become a favorite way to watch television. Marathon viewing or binge watching is the practice of watching television shows for a long time span, usually between two to six episodes in one sitting. Spending countless hours in front of the television may seem like a great way to relax and unwind, but research shows that binge watching is not healthy for our waistlines. This new trend isn’t just changing how we watch television, it is also affecting how we eat.

Lilian Cheung, director of health promotion and communication at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, states, “There’s convincing evidence in adults that the more television they watch, the more likely they are to gain weight or become overweight or obese." It is not just the number of sedentary hours associated with binge watching that is the concern. Poor dietary choices related to frequent exposure to unhealthy food and beverage advertisements, more opportunities to engage in mindless eating, and interference with adequate sleep also negatively impact health.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Communication and Health surveyed 591 undergraduate students on their television viewing, eating and drinking habits. Consistent with past research results, the researchers found that the more participants watched television, the more they engaged in unhealthy eating. Television provides a distraction, while eating and mindless eating may lead to overeating due to missed satiety cues.

While overall viewing time significantly impacts eating behaviors, the genre of the television show may also influence how much we eat. Researchers observed that participants watching action content ate twice as much compared to participants watching a talk show. Participants watching sad content ate 55 percent more than those watching upbeat content. Researchers suggest that people consume more when watching action shows because they are keeping up with the pace of the content. The stress-response and subsequent emotional eating may also play a role in the increased food consumption related to action-packed or sad shows.

Bottom Line: You do not need to give up snacks altogether when watching television, but it is important to be aware of how marathon viewing may lead to binge eating. Practicing mindful eating is important to better control food intake; eating without distraction allows for greater awareness of hunger and satiety cues. If you do want to munch during extended viewing, put out healthier options such as fruit slices, sliced veggies and hummus, or popcorn. Make sure to get up and stretch your legs between shows; a simple circuit of exercises such as jumping jacks, push-ups and squats will get your heart rate up.

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