Siervo M, et al. – This study assessed if behaviours conducted seated (television viewing, video gaming) induce different eating patterns, associated with differential levels of stress response. In overweight/obese adult males, an acute stress response was found to be related to playing video games versus watching non–violent television, associated with greater subsequent food intake.

Methods

• Researchers performed a randomized controlled trial in 72 overweight/obese adult males, wherein, the participants were assigned to three groups (24 per group): (i) non-violent television (control group); (ii) non-violent game (FIFA); (iii) violent game (Call of Duty).
• Following a standardized breakfast, the 1-h intervention was followed by 25-min rest, with sweet and savoury snacks and drinks available ad libitum.
• They measured stress markers (heart rate, blood pressure, visual analogue scale (VAS)) throughout.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and stress by VAS were significantly higher (p < 0.05).
• Researchers observed that, considered separately, only the violent video game group consumed more energy (Δ = 208.3 kcal, 95%CI 16, 400), sweet foods (Δ = 25.9 g, 95%CI 9.9, 41.9) and saturated fat (Δ = 4.36 g, 95%CI 0.76, 7.96) than controls.