Food insecurity and heart and metabolic health in young adults
Official title: Food Security and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11382864 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how not having enough food affects heart and metabolic health in college students and young adults.
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 | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $701,778 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164727-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382864 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adolescents and young adults (roughly ages 12–26) enrolled in college or in early adulthood, especially those experiencing or at risk for food insecurity and diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without food insecurity or those not within the target age range may have limited direct benefit from the study findings.
What this research studies
This project at the University of California, San Francisco, led by Suzzanna M. Martinez, investigates how food insecurity during adolescence and early adulthood relates to cardiovascular and metabolic health. It will examine how factors like BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels connect with diet, sleep, and activity in 12- to 26-year-olds, with attention to disparities among Black and Latino students. The researchers plan to use surveys and health measurements to understand chronic food insecurity and its impact on emerging adulthood and long-term health risk. The findings could inform interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce future cardiovascular risk among students facing food insecurity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could guide programs and policies to improve nutrition and heart health among college students and young adults facing food insecurity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests a link between food insecurity and cardiovascular/metabolic risk, but this area is still developing with room for new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Suzanna M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Suzanna M
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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.