Does exposure to socially endorsed food images on social media influence food intake?

Social norms can influence the consumption of high and low energy-dense (HED/LED) snack foods. Such could be communicated via social media, however, there is little experimental research investigating this possibility. This laboratory study aimed to investigate acute effect socially endorsed media posts on participants' eating behaviour. Healthy women students ( n = 169; mean age 20.9; BMI 23.3) were assigned either a HED, LED or control condition, where they viewed three types images (HED foods, foods interior design as control), but only one type was (e.g. in endorsed). Participants completed questionnaires also provided buffet grapes cookies. One-way ANOVA revealed significant main condition participants’ relative (percentage consumed out total food intake), for both grams calories (both p s < .05). Follow-up t-tests that participants larger proportion (grams calories) vs HED (all .05), from compared These findings suggest exposure nudge people consume more of, derive these place Further required examine potential application .