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Takeaways are often blamed for contributing to the country’s obesity crisis - now it seems they could be bad for your health in more unexpected ways.
A study carried out by boffins at the University of Wolverhampton has found that ordering a takeaway has both physical and psychological effects.
In particular, late delivery, constantly checking apps, the wrong order arriving and disappointing quality all contribute to a condition identified as “takeaway trauma.”
Scientists classified the condition as having four stages: fidgety, anxious, irate and lost.
Sufferers experienced increased heart rate and stress levels the longer they waited for the takeaway to arrive.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The experiment by the university’s biomedical sciences department involved participants ordering and waiting for a takeaway pizza while wearing heart rate monitors to measure pulse fluctuations, as well as monitoring stress levels.
Following the initial joy and excitement of placing an order, people enter the fidgety stage around five minutes after. This is characterised by finger-tapping, toe-tapping and starting to check the takeaway’s app for updates on the arrival time.
Around 10 minutes after ordering, anxiety starts to creep in. Checking the app and becoming frustrated when delivery time creeps up are symptoms of this stage.
As stress levels increase further, around 40 minutes after ordering, a lack of clear communication, the tardiness of deliveries, curtain twitching and the driver going the wrong way heightens emotions and results in a state of being visibly irate.
The final stage is one of absolute despondency. Frequently after waiting for a long time – around 50 minutes - the wrong order arriving or the food being of a disappointing quality makes people feel lost.
Dr Martin Khechera, senior lecturer in biomedical science at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We’ve all seen friends, partners and, if we’re honest, even ourselves get antsy and annoyed during the process of ordering a takeaway. However, it is a surprise to see that the experience has a real impact on stress levels and our heart rate.”
Behavioural expert Darren Stanton, who analysed the results of the experiment, added: “People order a takeaway as a treat – a way to reward themselves after a long week at work and to enjoy a relaxing night in with loved ones. This study shows that it can be the opposite of this.”
The study was carried out in association with Chicago Town pizza products, who have created a support page for “takeaway trauma.”
The struggle is real, according to university boffins
Get What's On updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing Could not subscribe try again later Invalid Email Takeaways are often blamed for contributing to the country’s obesity crisis now it seems they could be bad for your health in more unexpected ways A study carried out by boffins at the University of Wolverhampton has found that ordering a takeaway has both physical and psychological effects In particular late delivery constantly checking apps the wrong order arriving and disappointing quality all contribute to a condition identified as takeaway trauma Scientists classified the condition as having four stages fidgety anxious irate and lost Sufferers experienced increased heart rate and stress levels the longer they waited for the takeaway to arrive Image Getty Images / iStockphoto The experiment by the university’s biomedical sciences department involved participants ordering and waiting for a takeaway pizza while wearing heart rate monitors to measure pulse fluctuations as well as monitoring stress levels Following the initial joy and excitement of placing an order people enter the fidgety stage around five minutes after This is characterised by finger-tapping toe-tapping and starting to check the takeaway’s app for updates on the arrival time Around 10 minutes after ordering anxiety starts to creep in Checking the app and becoming frustrated when delivery time creeps up are symptoms of this stage As stress levels increase further around 40 minutes after ordering a lack of clear communication the tardiness of deliveries curtain twitching and the driver going the wrong way heightens emotions and results in a state of being visibly irate The final stage is one of absolute despondency Frequently after waiting for a long time around 50 minutes the wrong order arriving or the food being of a disappointing quality makes people feel lost Dr Martin Khechera senior lecturer in biomedical science at the University of Wolverhampton said We’ve all seen friends partners and if we’re honest even ourselves get antsy and annoyed during the process of ordering a takeaway However it is a surprise to see that the experience has a real impact on stress levels and our heart rate Behavioural expert Darren Stanton who analysed the results of the experiment added People order a takeaway as a treat a way to reward themselves after a long week at work and to enjoy a relaxing night in with loved ones This study shows that it can be the opposite of this The study was carried out in association with Chicago Town pizza products who have created a support page for takeaway trauma