How good or bad is Netflix for its users? The relationship between binge-watching and self-regulation of eating behaviour

Binge-watching is associated with gaining weight due to its relationship with variables such as mindless eating or an unhealthy diet. Nonetheless, little is known about the relationship between binge-watching and self-regulation on eating behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this study was to discover whether there is a relationship between binge-watching and self-regulation skills on eating behaviour. A cross-sectional online survey design was conducted. The sample was composed of 209 participants and the age range was between 18 and 55 years (M = 23.9 years; SD = 6.6 years). The questionnaire contained the Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (SREBQ). Binge-watching behaviour was significantly negatively correlated with self-regulation skills on eating behaviour (rs = -.25; p < .001) meaning that individuals who binge-watched, tend to show low self-regulation skills on eating behaviour. Also, binge-watching was significantly negatively correlated with a healthy diet (rs = -.31; p < .001) indicating that participants who tend to binge-watch rated their diet as less healthy. These results suggest that there exists a weak and significant relationship between binge-watching and low self-regulation on eating behaviour as well as between binge-watching and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, binge-watching is again associated with variables that lead to increased weight gain.