“What Are You Eating?” Is the Influence of Fortnite Streamers Expanding Beyond the Game?

Abstract

Online game microcelebrities (streamers) attract a large audience of emerging adult gamers (age 18–25 years) and have become a target for food industry advertising. Extant research has identified links between gaming and negative impacts on diet. However, little is known about the influence of game-streaming communities on food consumption. This study aims to understand the type and context of discussions about food and drink in streaming communities that may be influencing the consumption behavior of emerging adults. Data were collected through observation of food and drink-related conversations within streaming communities for Fortnite, which is popular with emerging adult gamers. The study found that the sharing of food is commonplace in organic discussions within streaming communities, driven by both streamers and their followers. The sharing of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods is commonplace in these organic discussions. The study suggests that game-streaming channels have expanded beyond the scope of only a gaming channel and, for emerging adults, are potentially influencing their healthful behavior.