Meal-Concurrent Media Use is Associated with Increased Dietary Intake with no Evidence of Next Meal Compensation in Free-Living Adults

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of concurrent and prior media use on dietary intake and dietary compensation over 3 days in a free-living population. Methods: Participants recorded food intake and media use for a 3-day period. The US Department of Agriculture multiple-pass method was used to ensure completeness of food records. Energy, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, sugar, added sugar, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium intake were assessed. Results: Meals consumed while participants used media included 149.3 more calories on average than meals consumed without media. Media meals were higher in protein, carbohydrates, fat, and saturated fat. There was no evidence of dietary compensation at the meal following the media meal. Conclusions: Energy and macronutrient intake increased during media-paired meals. Dietary compensation at the subsequent meal did not occur, suggesting that the effects of media-paired meals are additive over the short term.