Exploring how social media use affects binge-eating disorder in adolescents
Official title: Investigating relationships between problematic social media use and binge-eating disorder to inform precision guidance for adolescents
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10928216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using social media a lot might be linked to binge-eating in teens, especially considering things like feeling sad, anxious, or being bullied online, and it hopes to offer helpful advice for teens, their parents, and doctors to prevent these eating issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $507,440 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135492-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be experiencing issues related to binge-eating disorder or problematic social media use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not engage with social media may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connections between problematic social media use and binge-eating disorder among adolescents. It aims to understand how factors like depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying may influence eating behaviors. By analyzing mobile phone usage patterns and their relationship with binge-eating, the study seeks to provide tailored guidance for adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers. The goal is to identify critical periods and mechanisms that could help prevent binge-eating disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized recommendations for social media use that help reduce the risk of binge-eating disorder in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between social media use and eating disorders, but this study aims to explore these relationships in a more detailed and prospective manner.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagata, Jason M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Nagata, Jason M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding Binge Eating Disorder in Older Hispanic Women
This project looks at how chronic binge eating disorder affects the health of older Hispanic women who also face challenges with food security.
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Social media habits and binge-eating in teens
This project will see if patterns of social media use predict binge-eating behaviors in adolescents.
-
Using digital mindfulness meditation to improve therapy for binge eating disorder
This study is testing a new online program that combines mindfulness meditation with traditional therapy to help people with binge eating disorder feel better and manage their eating habits more effectively.
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Impact of binge eating disorder on older Hispanic women facing food insecurity
This study is looking at how binge eating disorder affects Hispanic women over 65 who don’t always have enough food, to better understand their health challenges and improve care for them.
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Investigating brain changes in binge eating disorder using advanced imaging techniques
This study is looking at how binge eating disorder affects the brain by using a special imaging technique to see changes in brain connections, and it's for people who want to help improve treatments for this condition.
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Understanding how brain circuits affect binge-eating disorder symptoms
This study is looking at how the brain works in people with binge-eating disorder to better understand why they make certain eating choices, with the hope of finding new ways to help them.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.