Digital Meal Panel Study
Background and Objectives
Adolescence is a crucial period for developing stable health-related attitudes and behaviors. At the same time, young people today use digital media and AI-based applications more intensively than ever before to obtain information, exchange ideas, and organize their daily routines. The Digital Meal Panel Study examines how this use of media and AI relates to key aspects of mental and physical health and what role digital environments play in establishing health-related norms and behavior patterns.
Study design
The panel study is based on a survey of adolescents in Swiss schools. Participants are interviewed repeatedly to track changes in media use, AI applications, and health-related behaviors over time. The design thus allows for both snapshots and the analysis of long-term development processes.
Research focus
Among other things, the study addresses the following questions:
- How do young people use digital media and AI tools in everyday life—for information, entertainment, or self-regulation?
- How are these digital practices related to health-related attitudes, well-being, and behavior?
- What role do media content and social comparison processes play in the perception of health, body norms, and performance requirements?
- How are these relationships changing over time?
Method
- Standardized surveys in several waves
- Recording of media and AI usage patterns (platforms, intensity, type of content)
- Measurement of health-related variables (e.g., exercise, nutrition, digital self-control, well-being)
- Analyses of temporal changes and causal relationships