Association of mukbang viewing to internet addiction and psychological health in adolescents and young adults

Introduction: In digital era, Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) are facing the dual challenges of worsening mental health and the growing prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA). Globally, 14.3% of AYAs experience mental health conditions, but remains largely unrecognized and untreated. High or increasing addictive internet use was associated with risk of suicidal behaviours and ideation, along with higher ratings for anxiety, depression, and aggression. Mukbang, also known as “eating broadcast,” is a video to record anchors consuming food and interacting with viewers. With view counts in the hundreds of millions and a massive fan base, mukbang has become a new force in contemporary online entertainment and pop culture. Prior research suggests that mukbang may influence viewers through mechanisms of perceived social companionship, emotional regulation, and vicarious eating experiences. However, its potential associations with IA and psychological health among AYAs remains unclear.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations between mukbang viewing and symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DAS) among AYAs.
Method: An online cross-section study was conducted among AYAs from May 2022 to September 2022. Mukbang viewing frequency, IA and DAS were measured using standardized instruments. Multivariate Linear Regression (MvLR) was conducted to examine associations of DAS with mukbang viewing and other predictors. Breusch-Pagan Test of Independence was employed to examine whether the error terms across equations were independent. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was performed to test direct and indirect pathways and to assess model fit. 
Results: A total of 1,039 AYAs were enrolled with a mean age of 22.45 years (SD = 3.65), and 616 (59.3%) were female. Of all the participants, 886 (85.3%) reported viewing Mukbang. MvLR results revealed that viewing mukbang once a day was associated with lower anxiety (β=-1.654, p=0.004) and depression (β=-2.034, p=0.001), while viewing no more than once a meal was associated with lower stress (β=-2.664, p<0.001). Breusch-Pagan Test of Independence suggested dependent error terms  (χ²=1729.896, p<0.001), supporting the use of SEM. SEM findings showed that Mukbang viewing exerted a direct negative association on depression (β=-0.071, p=0.008), anxiety (β=-0.060, p=0.025) and stress (β=-0.108, p<0.001) symptoms, and an additional indirectly association by alleviating IA (β=-0.079, p=0.010). Model fit indices indicated acceptable model fit. 
Conclusions: Mukbang viewing was negatively associated with IA and DAS among AYAs with IA serving as a mediator. These findings highlight mukbang as a potentially beneficial digital behaviour for emotional well-being and internet-use patterns. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to clarify causal pathways and inform mental health interventions targeting AYAs. 

Ziruo Xu, is a current postgraduate student at the School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, with an expected graduation date of June 2027. She has completed relevant graduate courses such as Nursing Research and Medical Statistics, and is scheduled to complete six-month clinical internship in January 2026. She has actively participated in several research projects and contributed to the publication of three SCI-indexed papers (with doi: 10.1177/00207640231188321; 10.1186/s12889-025-22597-4; 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.111). Excel in teamwork and communication, effectively coordinating diverse perspectives among research members to facilitate constructive discussions and consensus-building. Aims to further develop research capabilities and cultivate scientific thinking in the future.