Association between watching eating broadcasts like mukbang and cookbang and generalized anxiety disorder among Korean adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are common during adolescence; therefore, detecting anxiety disorders among adolescents and providing appropriate treatment are crucial. Studies have suggested that watching online audiovisual broadcasts like mukbang and cookbang (hereafter mukbang), where hosts eat or cook food, may influence anxiety disorders. However, there is insufficient research on the association between watching mukbang and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Therefore, we investigated the association between watching mukbang and GAD among Korean adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed 51,764 adolescents who participated in the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (KYRBS). The participants were asked how frequently they watched mukbang per week over the past 12 months. Anxiety disorders were assessed using the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of GAD was higher among adolescents who watched mukbang compared to those who did not (aOR: 1.100, 95% CI: 1.026-1.180, P = 0.008 in male participants; aOR: 1.090, 95% CI: 1.003-1.185, P = 0.042 in female participants). The frequency of watching mukbang showed a dose-dependent relationship with a greater likelihood of GAD in female adolescents. CONCLUSION: This study's results showed that watching mukbang is associated with GAD in Korean adolescents. Proper interventions for mental health are needed for adolescents who watch mukbang.

Association between watching eating broadcast "Mukbang and Cookbang" and body mass index status in South Korean adolescents stratified by gender.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Mukbang and Cookbang, a type of eating broadcast originating from Korea and gaining popularity, may contribute to obesity. However, despite suggestions that Mukbang might contribute to obesity, studies investigating the impact of watching Mukbang on obesity is lacking. The goal of this study is to analyze the relationship between watching Mukbang and Cookbang and body mass index (BMI) status in Korean adolescents. All analyses were stratified by gender. METHODS: This study utilized data from the 2022 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Surveys. The anonymous online survey was conducted with 56,213 students, and 51,850 students (92.2%) who participated in the survey were analyzed. Participants reported the frequency of watching Mukbang and Cookbang per week over the previous 12 months. BMI was categorized into four subgroups based on percentiles: underweight (< 5th percentile), normal (5th - 85th percentiles), overweight (85th - 95th percentiles), and obese (> 95th percentile). This study used multinomial logistic regression for analysis. RESULTS: The likelihood of being obese was significantly higher in Mukbang-watching boys compared to those who never watched Mukbang and Cookbang (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.32). A dose-dependent association was found between the frequency of Mukbang and Cookbang watching and the likelihood of obesity among boys (p-for-trend < 0.0001). Subgroups that currently smoke, currently drink alcohol, frequently consume fast food, or drink sweetened beverages showed significantly higher odds of being obese in the "Ever" group than those in the "Never" group. CONCLUSION: This study found a relationship between watching Mukbang and Cookbang and obesity in boys. Appropriate interventions should be considered for boys watching Mukbang and Cookbang.

Association between watching eating shows and unhealthy food consumption in Korean adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Eating habits formed during adolescence greatly influence the maintenance of health in adulthood. With the recent development of social media and easy access to the Internet, adolescents watch plenty of food videos, particularly Mukbang and Cookbnag(eating show)content. This media genre's impact on food choices has been covered in several studies; however, studies on unhealthy eating habits directly related to adolescents' exposure to eating shows are insufficient. METHODS: For this study, we used data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted in 2022 and finalized 50,451 participants. The extent of exposure to eating show media over the course of a week, as well as the consumption of fast food, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and high caffeinated beverages within that week were measured through self-reporting questionnaires. We classified the participants into two groups based on their frequency of watching eating shows. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between eating show and unhealthy food consumption. RESULTS: For both males and females, eating show exposure was strongly associated with the consumption of fast food (male: OR:1.37, 95% CI:1.26-1.49; female: OR:1.46, 95% CI:1.36-1.57), SSB (male: OR:1.42, 95% CI:1.26-1.60; female: OR:1.51, 95% CI:1.35-1.70), and high caffeinated beverage (male: OR:1.30, 95% CI:1.23-1.37; female: OR:1.24, 95% CI:1.18-1.31). It was observed that both sexes were more likely to frequently eat unhealthy food than students who did not watch eating shows. CONCLUSION: Among Korean adolescents, students exposed to eating shows, which primarily aim to entertain, were more likely to consume fast food, SSBs, and high caffeinated beverages. Therefore, this study's findings suggest that eating show could influence adolescents' food choices, highlighting the need for interest in emerging cultures and corresponding health policies.

Associations between mukbang viewing and disordered eating behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: Mukbang videos are a popular cultural phenomenon that often feature a host consuming large amounts of food to entertain an audience. We aim to examine the relationship between mukbang viewing characteristics and eating disorders symptoms. METHODS: Eating disorder symptoms were evaluated using the eating disorders examination-questionnaire. Frequency of mukbang viewing, average watch time per occasion, tendency to eat while watching mukbang, and problematic mukbang viewing (using the Mukbang Addiction Scale) were assessed. We used multivariable regressions to estimate associations between mukbang viewing characteristics and eating disorder symptoms, adjusting for gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, and BMI. We used social media to recruit adults who watched mukbang at least once during the past year (n = 264). RESULTS: A total of 34% of participants reported watching mukbang daily or almost daily, with mean watch time per viewing session being 29.94 min (SD = 1.00). Eating disorder symptoms, especially binge eating and purging, were associated with greater problematic mukbang viewing and a tendency to not consume food while viewing mukbang. Participants with greater body dissatisfaction watched mukbang more frequently and were more likely to eat while watching mukbang, yet they scored lower on the Mukbang Addiction Scale and watched fewer average minutes of mukbang per viewing occasion. DISCUSSION: In a world increasingly penetrated by online media, our findings linking mukbang viewing and disordered eating may inform clinical diagnoses and treatments of eating disorders. Future studies establishing directionality of the relationship between mukbang viewing behaviors and eating disorder pathology are warranted. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Mukbang videos often feature a host consuming large amounts of food. Using a questionnaire assessing mukbang viewing behaviors and disordered eating pathology, we found associations between certain viewing habits and disordered eating symptoms. Given the health consequences of eating disorders and potentially problematic consequences of certain online media, this study can inform clinical understanding of individuals with disordered eating who engage in certain online media, like mukbang.

Translation, transcultural adaptation, and convergent validity of the Arabic version of the Mukbang addiction scale.

INTRODUCTION: The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic translation of the Mukbang Addiction Scale (MAS) among Arabic-speaking adults from the general population. Specifically, it aimed to assess the factorial structure through a confirmatory factor analysis, determine the composite reliability through Cronbach alpha and McDonald's omega scores, assess gender invariance, and evaluate the convergent validity by examining its correlation to eating addiction and psychological distress. METHODS: A total of 370 individuals with a mean age of 21.94 ± 2.29 years participated in this study, which was conducted using an online platform. The participants were surveyed on demographic information, mukbang addiction, food addiction, and psychological distress. Translation was conducted using the forward and backward technique. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated excellent internal consistency of the Arabic MAS (McDonald's omega coefficient = 0.93). Confirmatory factor analyses validated the one-factor structure of the scale, while establishing measurement invariance across sex at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. No sex differences were observed in the Mukbang addiction levels. Lastly, the MAS scores were significantly and positively correlated with food addiction and psychological distress, supporting their convergent validity. CONCLUSION: The current research provides evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the MAS as a self-report method for assessing addictive Mukbang watching. While further validations are needed to corroborate the present findings, this measure can be effectively utilized across different fields, including schools, mental health centers, and researchers aiming to understand this global phenomenon. Mukbang refers to individuals or hosts consuming large quantities of food while interacting with their audiences through recorded video or a live stream. The Mukbang phenomenon has gained substantial popularity among young individuals over the past years, rising concerns about its potential impact on their eating habits and health, especially when overconsumed. Overconsumption of mukbang content, or Mukbang addiction, aligns with the core features of addiction, including compulsive engagement, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms, making it comparable to other addictive behaviors. Mukbang addiction can lead to detrimental effects on mental and physical health, including neglect of balanced nutrition, disordered eating habits, obesity, feelings of guilt, shame, poor self-esteem, distorted self-images, body dissatisfaction, heightened anxiety or depression, and social isolation. Given these significant impacts, valid and reliable tools are crucial to enable an accurate assessment of Mukbang addiction. This study proposes to translate, adapt and examine the psychometric properties of the Mukbang Addiction Scale (MAS) in a sample of Arabic-speaking individuals from the general population. Findings showed that the six MAS items loaded on a single factor with strong internal consistency and good convergent validity, preliminarily indicating its potential validity and reliability for assessing addictive mukbang-watching among Arabic-speaking individuals.

Does Watching Mukbang and Cookbang Broadcasts Affect Subjective Body Image, Perceived Stress, and Physical Activity Levels among Korean Adolescents?

Background: We investigated whether physical activity, subjective body image, and perceived stress were linked to watching Mukbang and Cookbang broadcasts among Korean adolescents. Adolescents mainly watch Mukbang and Cookbang shows through media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. Methods: We examined data on 51,743 Korean adolescents who participated in the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2022. Data were evaluated using frequency, chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Specifically, the relationship between watching Mukbang and Cookbang broadcasts and physical activity participation, subjective body image, and perceived stress was evaluated through a multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for covariates such as sex, age, school type, and residential area. Results: The results showed that among Korean adolescents, watching Mukbang and Cookbang broadcasts was significantly related to the negative effects of feeling fatter and more stressed and the positive effect of greater participation in physical activities (possibly to combat feeling fat) (P<0.05). In other words, this study confirms that watching Mukbang and Cookbang broadcasts has the simultaneous effect of increased physical activity participation in conjunction with negative subjective body images. Moreover, it increased perceived stress in adolescents. Conclusion: Adolescents must be better educated about Mukbang and Cookbang broadcasts and their negative impact on subjective body image and perceived stress (as well as their positive impact on physical activity). Such education can help prevent these shows from creating negative teenage habits that can continue into adulthood. These results can be used as basic data for health education and policies that warn about the potential negative effects of such programs.

Association between mukbang and cookbang viewing and body image perception and BMI in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period for establishing healthy eating habits and weight management, essential for preventing obesity and promoting overall health. This study investigates the impact of mukbang and cookbang-popular online broadcasts in Korea that feature excessive consumption of food-on the dietary habits and body image perception of Korean adolescents. With digital media, especially platforms like YouTube, becoming an integral part of daily life, these broadcasts have the potential to significantly influence adolescent health behaviors. METHODS: Employing data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2022), this descriptive survey research explores the relationship between watching mukbang and cookbang and various health-related factors among adolescents. The survey's comprehensive dataset provided a unique opportunity to examine this association in a population that is increasingly exposed to digital media content. The analysis focused on the frequency of watching mukbang and cookbang, their impact on eating habits, body mass index (BMI), body shape perception, and body image distortion among adolescents. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant engagement with mukbang and cookbang among adolescents, with notable gender differences in viewing habits and effects. Increased frequency of viewing was associated with negative impacts on eating habits and body image perception. Furthermore, psychological factors such as stress levels and sleep quality emerged as significant predictors of the frequency of watching these broadcasts. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for further investigation into the causal relationships between mukbang and cookbang viewership and adolescent health outcomes. The findings suggest the importance of developing targeted interventions to mitigate the negative influences of such content on adolescents' eating habits and body perceptions. Given the widespread popularity of these broadcasts, it is crucial to address their potential health implications through public health strategies, educational content, and policy development aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among adolescents.

The Spectrum of Motivations Behind Watching Mukbang Videos and Its Health Effects on Its Viewers: A Review.

Mukbang are videos in which individuals record themselves while eating a specific kind of food (typically food that is low in nutrition) and chit-chatting with the audience through virtual comments about their everyday lives. Since the beginning of this decade, mukbang videos have been gaining popularity all over the world, thanks to the growing popularity of online social media platforms, in particular YouTube. Since a limited number of studies have been carried out to investigate the motivations and effects of watching mukbang on its audience, the purpose of this review article is to analyze the existing body of research on mukbang and to shed light on myriads of the motivation behind watching mukbang videos and its health effects on its viewers. With the help of this review article, we want to bring attention to the importance of conducting high-quality research in this field so that medical professionals are aware of the motivations behind watching these videos and the conditions that may be associated with it. The motivations behind watching mukbang videos cannot be completely categorized into being positive or negative, since it depends on its usage by the viewers. Watching mukbang is significantly more prevalent among young adults. Mukbang offers digital commensality, entertainment, a para-social effect, escapism from real-life issues, and the opportunity for sexual use. On the other hand, excessive use of mukbang has been linked to a wide variety of health problems, including obesity and eating disorders. Since a limited amount of research has been conducted on mukbang, there is a pressing need to place emphasis on the phenomenon of mukbang, and clinicians should be made aware of mukbang in order to facilitate the diagnosis of conditions that are linked to it.

The Relationship Between Watching Mukbang (Eating Show), Eating Behaviors, and Anthropometric Parameters in Iranian Female Students.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing watching of programs such as Mukbang, the study of eating behaviors and anthropometric parameters and their relationship with Mukbang should be considered to prevent chronic diseases and eating disorders. This study investigated the relationship between watching Mukbang with eating behaviors and anthropometric parameters in female students at Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: In this study, 114 female students aged 18 to 31 years were selected using simple random sampling. General information, watching Mukbang status, and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) were administered to the participants online. RESULTS: The prevalence of Mukbang watching in female students of the present study was 60.5%. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between the frequency of Mukbang watching and emotional or restrained eating behavior (P > 0.05), while there was a significant relationship between external eating behavior and the frequency of watching Mukbang (P=0.0001). It was found that with increasing watching time, external eating also increased. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, the external eating chance was 27% lower in students who watch Mukbang rarely than those who have never watched such a show. However, this chance was 0.31 and 9.58 times higher in students who occasionally and always watch Mukbang, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a significant relationship between external eating behaviors and watching Mukbang.

The Effects of Mukbang Watching on Enteral Feeding Intolerance Among Critically Ill Patients: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trail.

Purpose: With an estimated prevalence of 38%, enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) is common in critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN), and is associated with higher mortality and longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Various methods have been reported to decrease the incidence of EFI during EN, such as post-pyloric feeding, continuous EN delivery, abdominal massage, and probiotic supplementation. However, several studies reported conflicting results. Inappropriate interventions may cause gastrointestinal (GI) injury. This study aims to design a protocol based on Mukbang videos, which are widely watched online, to detect their effects on the incidence of EFI, nutritional status, incidence of infectious complications, and activities of daily living. Patients and Methods: We will conduct a three-arm, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial that will be implemented in 273 patients from intensive care units. Participants will be randomized into one of the three intervention arms (1:1:1), which will be performed by a research assistant. Participants were allocated to three groups: (a) watching mukbang video, (b) watching a cooking show, and (c) watching a non-food content video. Prior to EN initiation, each participant will watch a ten-minute mukbang video, cookery show, or non-food content video. Conclusion: Mukbang videos show food, expressions of mukbangers and eating sounds. If it effectively reduces the incidence of EFI, leads to greater nutritional status, lower incidence of infectious complications, and a higher level of independence among patients compared with watching cooking videos or non-food content videos, it has broad dissemination potential as a non-invasive, easily assessing, and using method.

How Attitude and Para-Social Interaction Influence Purchase Intentions of Mukbang Users: A Mixed-Method Study.

Mukbang is widely recognized as a new type of food video on user-generated content (UGC) platforms. The purpose of this study was to identify motivators to watch mukbangs and to examine the relationship between these motivators and the intention to watch mukbangs via attitudes toward mukbangs and para-social relationships. In addition, this study examined how the intention to watch mukbangs affected purchase intention. Interviews were conducted to determine the motivation factors for watching mukbangs by collecting data from mukbang viewers. The results of the interviews suggested that vicarious satisfaction, enjoyment, information, exposure, and attractiveness were motivators for watching mukbangs. Using a survey, this study collected data from 399 participants who watched mukbangs to test relationships. Using SmartPLS, structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted. The outcomes of the SEM indicated that vicarious satisfaction, enjoyment, and information influenced the intention to watch mukbangs via attitudes toward mukbangs. The results also indicated that exposure and attractiveness had an impact on the intention to watch mukbangs via para-social relationships. Furthermore, the intention to watch mukbangs influenced the intention to purchase food items portrayed in the mukbang content. This study contributes to the literature by empirically confirming the effect of watching mukbang on purchase intention.

Addiction-like Eating in Chinese Adults: An Assessment Tool and Its Associations with Modern Eating-Related Habits.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid increase in Chinese obesity rates has aroused research interest in addiction-like eating (AE); however, the unavailability of assessment tools is a major barrier to further investigation. To address the research gap, this study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Addiction-like Eating Behavior Scale (AEBS) and explore associations between AE and three modern eating-related habits (i.e., ordering delivery food, eating late-night meals and watching mukbang) among Chinese adults. METHODS: The STROBE checklist was followed for reporting this cross-sectional study. We conducted a telephone survey with a two-stage cluster random sampling method and acquired a probability sample of 1010 community-dwelling Chinese adults (55.2% female; age: 18-88 years, M = 38.52, SD = 14.53). RESULTS: Results confirmed the conceptualized two-factor structure of AEBS with satisfactory model fit, reliability and validity. Chinese adults reported higher levels of AE in the context of low dietary control rather than appetitive drive. These two AE factors showed significant and positive associations with modern eating-related habits. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was the first to assess AE among Chinese adults and provided a reliable and valid assessment tool. Our correlational findings can also be utilized for designing interventions for weight management and healthy eating.

Compensatory Usage of the Internet: The Case of Mukbang Watching on YouTube.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulating empirical research has emphasized that a wide range of online activities-such as using social networking sites-can be performed in order to compensate unattained needs or to cope with negative affect and psychopathological symptoms. Although the correlates of problematic social networking use have been extensively investigated, less is known about problematic YouTube use (PYU), an umbrella term grouping a number of different activities (e.g., viewing of online video games, watching specific YouTube channels). Furthermore, nothing is known concerning increasingly popular and distinct YouTube-related activities such as mukbang watching (i.e., watching livestream "eating broadcasts" where someone eats various foods in front of the camera while interacting with viewers). The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of problematic mukbang watching (PMW) on the relationships between depression and loneliness with PYU. METHODS: An online survey that comprised assessment tools for aforementioned variables was administered to 217 mukbang viewers (mean age=20.58 years, range 18-33 years). RESULTS: Results indicated that PMW was positively related to loneliness and PYU. Depression was positively and directly associated with PYU but was not associated with PMW. CONCLUSION: Further research is required to better understand the psychological processes underlying problematic mukbang watching and its association with other mental health conditions (e.g., addictive disorders, eating disorders).

Cloud-Based Commensality: Enjoy the Company of Co-diners Without Social Facilitation of Eating.

Previous research has associated frequently enforced solo dining with negative consequences on psychological well-being, but the problem of having to eat alone may be solved by seeking mealtime companions in the digital space by watching an eating broadcast (i.e., Mukbang) or videoconferencing with others (i.e., cloud-based commensality). We conducted the present study to compare the consequences of Mukbang-based, cloud-based, and in-person commensality. Ninety-five healthy Chinese young adults were instructed to rate images of eating scenarios and foods. The results revealed that they expected loneliness to be reduced by Mukbang-based or in-person commensality, but they were also aware of the risks of enhancing food intake and/or being shifted toward less healthy food choices in these two scenarios. By contrast, the participants expected cloud-based commensality to provide the benefits of reducing loneliness without the health-compromising risks of increasing food intake or unhealthy eating. Collectively, these findings suggest the beliefs of the participants that cloud-based commensality can provide an "alone but together" context to balance the need for social interactions with the strategic avoidance of a social context facilitating unhealthy eating. The findings also provide some novel insights into how the application of technologies for eating behavior can be used to integrate social factors and food pleasure, and shed light on the promising future of cloud-based commensality as a combination of the strengths of solitary and commensal eating.

Can Watching Online Videos Be Addictive? A Qualitative Exploration of Online Video Watching among Chinese Young Adults.

Watching online videos (including short-form videos) has become the most popular leisure activity in China. However, a few studies have reported the potential negative effects of online video watching behaviors (including the potential for 'addiction') among a minority of individuals. The present study investigated online video watching behaviors, motivational factors for watching online videos, and potentially addictive indicators of watching online videos. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 20 young Chinese adults. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Eight themes were identified comprising: (i) content is key; (ii) types of online video watching; (iii) platform function hooks; (iv) personal interests; (v) watching becoming habitual; (vi) social interaction needs; (vii) reassurance needs; and (viii) addiction-like symptoms. Specific video content (e.g., mukbang, pornography), platform-driven continuous watching, and short-form videos were perceived by some participants as being potentially addictive. Specific features or content on Chinese online video platforms (e.g., 'Danmu' scrolling comments) need further investigation. Future studies should explore users' addictive-like behaviors in relation to specific types of online video content and their social interaction on these platforms.

The popularity of eating broadcast: Content analysis of "mukbang" YouTube videos, media coverage, and the health impact of "mukbang" on public.

As "mukbang" (eating broadcast) becomes increasingly widespread, there is growing interest about the impact of mukbang on public health. This study aimed to analyze the content of mukbang YouTube videos, as well as news articles related to mukbang and the association between watching mukbang videos and health habits. We analyzed 5952 YouTube mukbang videos, 5265 news articles, and a survey of 1200 people in Korea. In this study, we confirmed that the provocative content of mukbang YouTube videos, such as overeating, was related to video popularity (p < 0.001). In addition, more exposure to mukbang was associated with greater effects on dietary health due to mukbang (p < 0.001). The prevalence of news articles on the negative effects of mukbang showed an increasing trend over time, while the articles on "Mukbang is funny" were most common in all the years evaluated. To cope with public health problems such as obesity, it will be necessary to continue to investigate the content and effects of mukbang on public health.

Digital Commensality: Eating and Drinking in the Company of Technology.

Commensality is a key aspect of social dining. However, previous research has identified a number of pros and cons associated with the incorporation of digital technology into eating and drinking episodes. For instance, those who are distracted by digital technology may eat/drink more (that is, they may overconsume) as a result of their failure to attend to the food-related sensations that are thought to cue the termination of eating. Similarly, it has often been suggested that the use of mobile devices at mealtimes can disrupt the more commensal aspects of dining/drinking (at least among those who are physically present together). At the same time, however, looking to the future, it seems clear that digital technologies also hold the promise of delivering opportunities for enhanced multisensory experiential dining. For instance, they might be used to match the auditory, visual, or audiovisual entertainment to the eating/drinking episode (e.g., think only about watching a Bollywood movie while eating a home-delivery Indian meal, say). Indeed, given the growing societal problems associated with people dining by themselves, there are a number of routes by which digital technologies may increasingly help to connect the solo diner with physically co-located, remote, or even virtual dining partners. In this review of the literature, our focus is specifically on the role of technology in inhibiting/facilitating the more pleasurable social aspects of dining, what one might call "digital commensality." The focus is primarily on Westernized adults with reasonable access to, and familiarity with, digital technologies.