Is "Mukbang" a dangerous internet craze that can have severe consequences to both mukbangers and its viewers?
Popularized in Korea, the word " Mukbang" or "meokbang" comes from "meongneun" which means "to eat," and "bangsong" which means broadcast.
According to Medical Daily, these are eating shows that are mostly viewed on online platforms. However, these are not your regular eating shows as mukbangers showcase their ability to chug down large amounts of food.
While it is true that mukbang videos have been an on-going trend these past years, health experts are claiming that there could be unspoken dangers to it. Dangers that apply to both the mukbang video audience and the mukbangers themselves.
According to a psychological study in Springlink, one of the many issues over mukbang is that it could promote problematic eating and food practices among both mukbangers and viewers.
Even though binge eating in front of a camera on a regular basis can bring a boatload of money, it still has a dark side that cannot be denied. Most of us indulge in it sometimes, but mukbang throws concepts of healthy portion control out the window.
While many watch mukbang videos because it may look appetizing, there is an increased concern over whether the people behind these mukbangs are promoting binge eating or overeating. For mukbangers who are solely aiming for higher views, this could unquestionably be true.
With mukbang videos showcasing consuming often unhealthy food in large quantities, this can easily affect the viewers too. They may grow accustomed to watching overeating and get tempted to try it themselves.
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Most of the food choices shown in mukbang videos are fast food meals up to seafood, pizzas, and noodles. With the crazy amount of food they consume in order to create a video, there is a strong possibility that multiple health implications might incur.
Additionally, people want to watch hosts eat the bad stuff rather than balanced, healthy meals. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), in Korea, where mukbang originated, the rate of people who are considered obese is getting higher.
Meanwhile, in the US, Mukbang became popular only in 2015. One mukbang video star admitted to having starved herself for days just to be able to make a mukbang video.
Mukbang videos tend to attract a youthful audience. Since they are young and healthy as they thought they are, they are influenced easier and could even start their own mukbang videos themselves. In addition, they can be lured in with the benefit of earning more than enough to have comfortable lifestyles without needing to do regular jobs.
In order to try staying healthy, most mukbangers spend long periods of time exercising. This is because of their belief that long hours of exercise can help neutralize the effects of massive eating.
Unfortunately, consuming a lot of saturated fat can cause long-term health risks like heart disease, among others. Consequently, exercise may not be enough to lower or eliminate the risk.
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