# The “Movie Theater” Study: Acute Cardiometabolic Effects of a Cinema-Style Meal

## TL;DR

A study found that eating a typical movie theater meal, even after a high-fat meal, can negatively affect heart and metabolic health, with large differences between individuals.

## Contribution

This study is the first to assess the acute cardiometabolic effects of a movie-theater-style meal when consumed both fasting and after a high-fat meal.

## Key findings

- Consuming a movie-theater-style meal increased glucose, insulin, and triglycerides while decreasing HDL-C.
- ΔInsulin was higher when the meal was consumed fasting compared to after a high-fat meal.
- Endothelial function tended to decrease regardless of whether the meal was consumed fasting or after a high-fat meal.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Meals eaten at movie theaters may have acute, negative health effects due to high refined sugar and moderate sodium content. We aimed to characterize the cardiometabolic response to movie-theater-style meals independently (fasting) and after high-fat meal consumption. Methods: Participants (N = 10; 5M/5F; 18–45 y) completed two meal trials (randomized). At both trials, participants ate a movie-theater-style meal (popcorn, candy, and soda; 884 kcal, 150 g sugar, and 700 mg sodium). At one trial, the movie theater meal was consumed while fasting (Fasting Trial). At the other trial, a high-fat meal (820 kcal; 56 g fat) was consumed 3.5 h prior to the movie theater meal (Fed Trial). Blood was collected (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h) and endothelial function (i.e., flow-mediated dilation or FMD) was assessed (0, 2, and 4 h) at both trials. Serum metabolic markers (glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and HDL-C) and biomarkers of intestinal permeability (sCD14 and LBP) were measured. Mixed-model ANOVAs (meal × time) and change scores (Δ) were used to compare responses between trials. Results: At both trials, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides increased, while HDL-C decreased (ptime’s ≤ 0.05). ΔInsulin (p = 0.02), but not Δglucose, was higher at Fasting versus Fed. Peak glucose (range = 86–178 mg/dL) and insulin (range = 28.3–307.6 mU/L) were highly variable between participants across trials. Absolute and percent FMD tended to decrease, regardless of trial (ptime’s ≥ 0.08). Conclusions: Overall, the movie theater meal impacted a number of cardiometabolic factors when consumed independently and after a high-fat meal, although there was notable inter-individual variability.