MOBILES MAKING US... FAT!

PEOPLE who look at their smartphones while eating are more likely to get fat.

A study shows men and women eat 15% more fatty food while looking at their mobiles.

Researchers said: “It may prevent the correct understanding of the brain over the amount of food ingested.”

The 62-strong test group was made up of men and women, aged 18 to 28.

The subjects who were regarded as being a bit tubby ate 616 calories while using their phones.

If they were allowed their phones, the volunteers also ate more fatty foods.

Márcio Gilberto Zangeronimo, a lead author of the study at Brazilian and

Dutch universities, said:

“Smartphone use during a meal increased calorie and fat intake. Tablets and smartphones have become the main distracters during meals, even early in childhood, so it is important to pay attention to how this may impact food choices.

“A distracter prevents the brain correctly understanding the amount of food ingested.”

Normally, we are aware of what we are eating but if we are distracted the signals from brain to stomach telling us we are full are interrupted.

If you are not focusing on your food, your brain is less likely to track just how much food you have actually eaten.

Scientists recommend dedicating mealtime as a period of no-screen time.

They urge people not to check emails or social media while eating.

In addition, people should practise mindful eating – this means fully chewing and swallowing food before taking another bite.