Validation of a Virtual Reality Buffet environment to assess food selection processes among emerging adults.

Validation of a Virtual Reality Buffet environment to assess food selection processes among emerging adults. Appetite. 2020 May 20;:104741 Authors: Cheah CSL, Barman S, Vu KTT, Jung SE, Mandalapu V, Masterson TD, Zuber RJ, Boot L, Gong J Abstract Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period for examining food- and eating-related behaviors as long-term weight-related behavioral patterns are established. Virtual reality (VR) technology is a promising tool for basic and applied research on eating and food-related processes. Thus, the present study tested the validity and user perceptions of a highly immersive and realistic VR food buffet by: (a) comparing participants' food selections made in the VR buffet and real-world (RW) food buffet cafeteria one-week apart, and (b) assessing participants' rated perceptions of their VR experience (0-100 scale). Participants comprised an ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults (N = 35, Mage = 20.49, SD = 2.17). Results revealed that participants' food selections in the VR and RW food buffets were significantly and positively correlated in Kcals, grams, carbohydrates, and protein (all p's < 0.05). Moreover, participants perceived that: (1) the VR buffet was natural (M = 70.97, SD = 20.92), (2) their lunch selection in the VR buffet represented a lunch they would select on an average day (M = 84.11, SD = 15.92); and (3) their selection represented a lun...
Source: Appetite - Category: Nutrition Authors: Tags: Appetite Source Type: research