New York, Sep 2 (IANS): If your kids love to watch Hollywood action movies, better watch out for their junk food consumption.

According to a study, viewers who watch action-packed programmes indulge in over-eating.

"We find that if you are watching an action movie while snacking, your mouth will see more action too!" In other words, the more distracting the programme is, the more you will eat," explained lead author Aner Tal from Cornell University.

"More stimulating programmes that are fast paced and include many camera cuts really draw you in and distract you from what you are eating. They can make you eat more," Tal added.

In the study, 94 undergraduates snacked on cookies, carrots and grapes while watching 20 minutes of television programming.

A third of the participants watched a segment of an action movie and rest a talk show.

"People who were watching the action flick ate almost twice as many snacks - 98 percent more than those watching the talk show!" noted co-author Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab.

People watching the more distracting content also consumed more calories, with 354 calories consumed by those watching the action movie compared to 215 calories consumed by those watching the talk show.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Internal Medicine.