Eating challenges posted on social media apps such as TikTok have grown in popularity in recently years. Mukbangs, what I eat in a day videos and other challenges may seem like harmless fun, but there is potential danger that can come from such content.
Let’s take a close look…
Health risks
Some TikTok eating challenges such as mukbangs encourage overeating of generally unhealthy foods such as takeaways and other fast food. Partaking in this sort of behaviour on a regular basis will inevitably lead to health problems in these individuals. Obesity and addiction are common amongst these content creators and it’s a hard cycle to break once you’re in it.
Eating disorders
Food challenges can worsen or even cause eating disorders in both the people taking part and those watching. It’s not hard to see how binge eating and bulimia can come from videos like this. Those in recovery from an eating disorder need to establish a healthy relationship with food again and being exposed to these videos can have a catastrophic impact on their recovery.
This goes for what I eat in a day videos too, which often show people trying to lose weight by eating very few calories. People posting these videos often have no idea the impact it could have.
Challenges such as the fear food challenge sees participants eating a food they have been avoiding or restricting. While this could be seen as a form of exposure therapy, it is not done in the correct way; with the help of trained therapists. Taking part in such a challenge could actually worsen the food fear. It’s also important to consider the comments that could be left on these videos. Someone already struggling with their mental health, or with an eating disorder could really be effected by negative comments.
Influence on audience
As a mum of two teens who often consume videos online, it worries me that they could be exposed to such content. It’s important to encourage a healthy diet and relationship with food in our children. Seeing other adults who they look up to online act so irresponsibly could be damaging to a child or young adult.
I hope that this post has been helpful in understanding the potential dangers associated with eating challenges. I would love to hear your thoughts on this, please leave me a comment below.
Thank you for reading.
