Does following Tigers or Chiefs football make you a healthier person? Science offers answers

Being a serious football fan can be quite involved. It is not just the 3-hour game.

The entire fan process often involves much discussion, planning, and hype well before — and then well after — the game. Is all of this healthy?

How the win-loss record affects weight loss

Previous studies once reported that football fans tend to be healthier because many of them will go out and throw the ball around a little when the game is not on, therefore getting more physical activity than non-football fans. Are you kidding?

While that might be ideal, the typical football fan consumes far more calories during the game than can ever be burned in throwing the ball a few times. Let’s face it, most stadium or even home football-watching food is not typically salads and vegetables. It’s nachos, hot dogs, and high-sugared drinks.

The other problem with the original studies is that almost nobody goes outside at halftime and "throws the ball around."

This has been an exciting year for football in Missouri. And if you want to be a healthier person, your teams need to win more than lose, according to a recent study.

In the study, the diets of fans were monitored on the Monday after each game. Monday diets after a win or loss were compared to Monday diets when there was no game played the day before as a control group. The diets also were compared to people who lived in cities without football teams, which served as a second control group.

Researchers found that in cities with a football team that lost, people ate 16 percent more saturated fat compared to a typical Monday diet. People in the cities of winning football teams ate 9 percent less saturated fat compared to a typical Monday.

The research confirms past studies showing that when people feel bad, they will gobble down a bag of candy or cookies. When your mood is low, junk food provides the brain with the pleasure you are lacking elsewhere. If your team wins, your brain has pleasure already, and it does not need to resort to junk food.

Bottom line. This part is debunked. We typically get heavier after a game.

What about social-emotional health?

There is much more to health than just caloric intake and burning, though. Being a football fan can foster a sense of community and belonging, which is important for mental health.

Attending games, participating in fan clubs, and engaging in social activities centered around football can provide social support and reduce feelings of isolation. For some fans, identifying with a team can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of identity and purpose. This can have positive mental health implications.

This isn’t to say non-fans don’t have those same opportunities — they are just easier to find when you are all publicly cheering for a team.

Sports can really bring communities together. People are able to spend time supporting a community event, and that is healthy for all involved.

However, research also shows that people who take losses too hard are really doing more harm to themselves. After a loss, there are more traffic accidents, heart attacks and violence in that city.

A win brings a much different type of behavior. Researchers believe a win makes people think of the future. The joy of winning increases the chances of making a good decision in a difficult situation, such as: Should I eat a salad or a candy bar? You will make a healthier decision if you have a clear head after a win.

Researchers concluded that intense fans should self-reflect after a tough loss. It has been suggested that a fan of a losing team should write down things that are really important to him or her. That will help him or her realize the loss is not all that important.

Although that is sound advice, it might not be advisable to suggest that to your screaming relative after a big loss — if you care about your own health and safety.

Mike Szydlowski is a science teacher and zoo facilitator at Jefferson STEAM School.

TIME FOR A POP QUIZ

Why is it important to have a control group?

Why do people eat more when their team loses?

If a person consumed 100 grams of fat on a normal Monday, how many grams of fat would they consume on average after a loss?

In what way is following a sports team healthy?

What percent more fat does a person from a losing city eat compared to a person from a winning city on the following Monday?

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ ANSWERS

What is the myth that always blames the turkey for post-Thanksgiving sleepiness?

The myth is that a chemical in turkey makes you sleepy. However, turkey isn't richer in tryptophan than other common meats. The real reason for sleepiness is more likely due to consuming a large amount of carbohydrates.

What unique property do cranberries have that help in their harvest?

Cranberries have pockets of air inside them, which allows them to bounce and float in water. This feature is used by farmers who flood the fields during harvest, causing the buoyant cranberries to float to the surface for easier collection.

How does the jellied form of cranberry sauce get its consistency?

The jellied consistency of cranberry sauce is due to pectin, a natural gelling agent found in fruits and especially high in cranberries. When cooked, pectin chains unravel and link back together, trapping water and forming a soft gel.

What chemical reaction is responsible for the transformation of pumpkin pie ingredients into a flavorful dish?

The transformation of pumpkin pie ingredients into a delicious dish is due to the Maillard Reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars.

Why does over-mashing potatoes result in a sticky, glue-like consistency?

Over-mashing potatoes leads to a sticky, glue-like consistency because it causes too many starch molecules to burst. This releases an excess amount of water, leading to the sticky texture.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Are MU or Chiefs football fans healthier in some ways? Science explains