NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

How weight stigma affects disordered eating and resilience factors

Official title: The effect of weight stigma on daily disordered eating and potential resilience factors

Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10855764 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how feeling judged about weight can lead to unhealthy eating habits, and it’s for overweight adults who want to understand how social support might help them cope better with these feelings.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$41,030
NIH project number5F31DK135387-02
Project IDNIH-10855764 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are overweight adults with a BMI of 28 or higher who may experience disordered eating behaviors.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not experience weight stigma or disordered eating behaviors may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of weight stigma on disordered eating behaviors, which include harmful cognitive and behavioral patterns related to body image and weight control. By using daily diary methods and experimental manipulation, the study aims to determine whether weight stigma directly causes disordered eating symptoms in individuals. Additionally, it will explore social resilience factors, such as belonging and group identification, that may help protect against these harmful eating behaviors. The study will involve 300 overweight adults to gather comprehensive data on their experiences.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for individuals struggling with disordered eating due to weight stigma.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a correlation between weight stigma and disordered eating, but this study aims to explore causal relationships, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Levinson, Jordan — University of California Los Angeles
  • Study coordinator: Levinson, Jordan

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.