VisualFidelityOSF.

ObjectiveTo understand the impact of fidelity and perceived realism on virtual reality food choices, and task motivation, engagement, and interest.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingOnline.Participants84 participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk.InterventionParticipants were randomly assigned to either a high- (n = 43) or a low- (n = 41) visual fidelity environment and were asked to select foods to have a meal with a friend.Main outcome measuresFood choice, motivation of food choices, engagement, and interest.AnalysisSimple linear regressions between visual fidelity and perceived realism, and log-linear regressions for visual fidelity or perceived realism on either motivation, interest, or engagement. Poisson models between visual fidelity or perceived realism, and food selections.ResultsManipulating visual fidelity was not associated with perceived realism, motivation, interest, or engagement in the food selection task. Perceived realism increased motivation by 0.3% (SE 0.056; p = 0.022), interest by 1.4% (SE 0.002; pConclusion and implicationsPerceived realism, but not visual fidelity, is important for task related factors like motivation, engagement, and interest. Visual fidelity may influence some food selections.