Virtual feasts and their impact: A pilot study on the influence of mukbang videos on eating behaviours, body image, and emotional wellbeing

This pilot study explores the effects of viewing mukbang videos, a popular social media trend in which hosts consume large quantities of food, on various psychological and behavioral variables. Utilizing a pre-post experimental design, the study assessed changes in eating intentions, body image, affect, and anxiety among 327 participants (M age = 19.5 years, SD = 2.8; 59.6% female) from an Australian university. Participants completed a baseline survey regarding demographic information and mukbang engagement, followed by a Go/No-Go Task to measure behavioral impulsivity.

Post-exposure to a 10-minute mukbang video, results indicated significant reductions in disordered eating (DE) urges and positive affect. Notably, female participants exhibited decreased dietary restraint, while male participants showed reduced urges to overeat and exercise for weight control. However, no significant changes were found in body dissatisfaction (BD), negative affect, or anxiety levels, and behavioral impulsivity did not moderate the results.

These findings suggest that mukbang exposure has divergent effects on specific DE urges based on gender, with limited influence from trait impulsivity in short-term, low-stakes media contexts. The study recommends further research to investigate potential moderators, such as social comparison and habituation, and to employ longitudinal designs to assess the long-term impact of mukbang viewing. [NPID: Mukbang, dietary restraint, disordered eating, social media]

Year: 2026

Reference: Lin, J., Portingale, J., & Krug, I. (2026). Virtual feasts and their impact: A pilot study on the influence of mukbang videos on eating behaviours, body image, and emotional wellbeing. Body Image, 56, 102004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2025.102004