The new TV dinner: effects of television programming content on eating and attitudes towards exercise

ABSTRACT

Evidence exists for a negative influence of exercise/weight-loss television on explicit attitudes towards exercise. However, it is unclear if this is specific to viewing intense exercise or the overweight/obese status of the viewed exercisers. Additionally, exposure to exercise cues can induce people to eat more, reflecting compensatory eating in response to exercise cues rather than actual exercise. In this study, we examined the relative influence of viewing overweight/obese versus normal weight exercisers on eating (calories consumed) and attitudes towards exercise. 102 college students were randomized to view: 1) overweight/obese individuals engaging in vigorous exercise; 2) normal weight individuals engaging in vigorous exercise; or 3) no-exercise video with participants of various weight statuses (control condition). Participants subsequently completed a taste test assessing calories consumed; a computerized, implicit attitudes-towards-exercise task; and an explicit attitudes-towards-exercise questionnaire. Participants with higher BMIs and those viewing normal weight exercisers (vs. overweight/obese exercisers) ate significantly more. No significant effects were found for the interaction between BMI and video or for explicit or implicit attitudes towards exercise. This study extends findings of the impact of viewing vigorous exercise to eating behaviors. If replicated under naturalistic conditions, findings have implications for health promotion initiatives and television programming impacting overeating.

KEYWORDS:

• Eating
• exercise
• physical activity
• health behavior
• body mass index

Disclosure statement

In addition to Federal grant support, Dr. Otto receives royalties from multiple publishers (including royalties for books on exercise for mood) and receives speaker support from Big Health. Dr. Szuhany declares no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [F31 MH100773].