What Happens in a Virtual World Has a Real-World Impact, a Scholar Finds.

The article looks at the claim of Jeremy N. Bailenson, an assistant professor of communications at Stanford University, that adopting an avatar and living in virtual reality can lead to weight loss and boost one's confidence. Bailenson has explored ways that online behavior spills over to the real world. Based on the article, the study of Bailenson and his colleagues holds promise for improving people's health and well-being. The study demonstrates that people who watch their avatars gain weight from overeating are more likely to adopt a weight-loss plan in real life.