There are a lot of complaints that are driven towards Michael Bay movies. But making audience members fatter is not one commonly thrown around. According to a recent study, however, that may very well be the case.
The Los Angeles Times posted a recent article showcasing how, whenever they watch Michael Bay's The Island, they eat more junk food than they would when they watch, say, Charlie Rose.
The reports come from the researchers over at Cornell University Food and Brand Lab, where they recruited 94 college students and separated them into three categories. All three groups were given a ready amounts of M&Ms, cookies, grapes and carrots, while watching a 20-minute clip from either The Island, with and without the sound, and a clip of Charlie Rose.
While some may say it comes from either Bay's skimpily-dressed women or the in-your-face shots, the weight gaining methods are actually directed towards the movie's pacing, according to researcher Aner Tal.
“More stimulating programs that are fast paced, include many camera cuts, really draw you in and distract you from what you are eating," Tal said. "They can make you eat more because you’re paying less attention to how much you are putting in your mouth.”
In fact, the students watching the soundless Island clip ate 36% more food and 46% more calories than those watching Charlie Rose. But those who watched The Island with sound ate the most of all. They ate 98% more food and 65% more calories.
Tal also believes that more engaged audiences don't realize how much they are eating, as reported by Slashfilm.
"When I go to the cinema and watch a movie I’m really engrossed in, my popcorn will go from full to empty without me realizing it," Tal said. "But if it is a movie I’m less into, I pay more attention to what I’m eating.”
But not everything is completely bad, however.
“The good news is that action movie watchers also eat more healthy foods, if that’s what’s in front of them,” said study co-author Brian Wansink. "“Take advantage of this!”
Image courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com