The Influence of Wearing a fitbit on Eating Behaviors While Stressed
Presentation Type
Event
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Terry Pettijohn
Major
Psychology
Minor
Intelligence and Security Studies
Presentation Abstract
Recent research has shown that a visual prime can serve to remind people of their health goals and result in better regulation of eating behavior in tempting situations (Papies & Hamstra, 2010). Given the recent popularity of fitbits, the present study sought to determine if a fitbit would prime healthy eating behaviors in stressful situations. Forty-one participants were randomly assigned to a high or low stress condition, which was manipulated through the use of the Stroop Test. Participants were also randomly assigned to wear a fitbit or not. Participant’s food preferences for high carbohydrate, high fat, and low energy foods were assessed through the Macronutrient Preference Checklist- Modified for use in North America following the stress manipulation. Contrary to the researcher’s hypothesis participants with a fitbit were more likely to make unhealthy eating choices. Reasons for this unexpected trend, as well as considerations for future studies are discussed.
Course
PSCY 497
External Presentation
1
Location
Brittain Hall, Room 101
Start Date
16-4-2019 6:20 PM
End Date
16-4-2019 6:40 PM
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Sparacino, Maria, "The Influence of Wearing a fitbit on Eating Behaviors While Stressed" (2019). Undergraduate Research Competition. 55.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2019/oral/55
The Influence of Wearing a fitbit on Eating Behaviors While Stressed
Brittain Hall, Room 101
Recent research has shown that a visual prime can serve to remind people of their health goals and result in better regulation of eating behavior in tempting situations (Papies & Hamstra, 2010). Given the recent popularity of fitbits, the present study sought to determine if a fitbit would prime healthy eating behaviors in stressful situations. Forty-one participants were randomly assigned to a high or low stress condition, which was manipulated through the use of the Stroop Test. Participants were also randomly assigned to wear a fitbit or not. Participant’s food preferences for high carbohydrate, high fat, and low energy foods were assessed through the Macronutrient Preference Checklist- Modified for use in North America following the stress manipulation. Contrary to the researcher’s hypothesis participants with a fitbit were more likely to make unhealthy eating choices. Reasons for this unexpected trend, as well as considerations for future studies are discussed.