Posts = paunch? Georgia Southern researchers are getting headlines for linking social media to weight gain.

Who knew that all those posts about what’s cooking and what’s for dinner could lead to a burgeoning belly?

It’s a surprising finding that researchers at Georgia Southern University have discovered – and it’s getting attention from American and international media.

Researchers at Georgia Southern University in the U.S. recruited 145 students and split them into two groups.

Both were given plates of cheese crackers to nibble but half were told to stop and take a picture first.

Immediately after eating them, volunteers were asked to rate how much they liked them and whether they wanted more. The results, published in the journal Appetite, showed those taking snaps of the crackers scored higher in terms of enjoyment and wanting seconds.

Picture-taking, researchers said, seems to change the way the brain perceives food and increases the craving for more calories. They wrote: ‘Memories of food and the act of recording consumption can affect how much we eat.

"Our results indicate picture-taking leads to greater wanting of the food following consumption. "The effects were most noticeable in volunteers given smaller portions – six crackers instead of 12.

Researchers warned: "Those seeking to eat smaller portions, especially of tempting foods that they want to cut back on, should avoid taking pictures of what they are eating." October 03, Daily Mail

If you’re a journalist looking to cover this research or learn more for a story – then let our experts help.

The researchers behind this study are available, simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.