In a study that focused on secondary school children in Leicestershire, Dr Amandeep Takhar – who lives in the West  Midlands – strived to find out how digital media effects every day eating habits and, in turn, young people's emotional well-being.

"Having already written a book looking at the growing popularity of online dating in the Sikh community, this time I wanted to undertake a study that involved a diverse range of cultures," said Dr Takhar, who authored 'Children's Food Consumption: Digital Age Eating Practices' in collaboration with Dr Pepukayi Chitakunge of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

"It was interesting to uncover that while one child would prosper from a traditional routine of eating with their family and discussing their day over dinner; another child would eat Nutella Hazelnut Chocolate whilst watching TV and playing on their iPad, with their parents at work, but it wouldn't affect them.

"It's very much down to what each child is used to and the parents not changing their routine – whatever that might be."

Equipping 30 children and their parents with a camera to log a visual diary of their mealtimes, Dr Takhar was also able to observe the body language and had answers provided in face-to-face interviews with an additional 150 children and their parents.

Taking two and a half years to complete the title, Dr Takhar's next goal is converting an academic paper – looking at the importance of eating the 'Indian way' in Sikh religion – into another book.

To purchase a copy of 'Children's Food Consumption: Digital Age Eating Practices' – available in hardback – visit www.scholars-press.com