Research that examines how mood can impact on eating behaviour
Garg et al (2007)
The aim of the study was to examine the relationship
between low mood and comfort-eating. Garg et al
(2007) observed the food choices of 38 participants as
they watched either an upbeat, funny movie (Sweet
Home Alabama) or a sad, depressing movie (Love
Story). The participants were offered buttered popcorn
and seedless grapes throughout the screening of the
movie. Eating behaviour was observed and participants
were asked to report how happy or sad the films made
them feel. Participants reported feeling happy when
watching Sweet Home Alabama, and sad when
watching Love Story. The interesting finding was that
those watching the sad film ate 36% more popcorn than
those watching the upbeat film, and that the upbeat
film group ate far more grapes than the other group.
The researchers claimed that people who feel sad or
depressed want to ‘jolt themselves out of the dumps,’
and therefore they are more likely to go for a snack that
tastes good to give them a sudden rush of euphoria.
Happy people want to extend their upbeat mood and
so choose healthy foods. In a variation of the study,
participants were presented with the nutritional content
about the foods (among other information) prior to the
viewing. It was found that consumption of the relatively
unhealthy foods (popcorn) dropped dramatically.