Improving a tool to measure how well people understand their internal body signals to help with eating disorders.
Official title: Optimizing the Validity of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness to Predict Disordered Eating
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11061080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a tool that helps people understand how well they notice and respond to their body's signals, especially for those dealing with eating disorders, to make sure it works for everyone and can improve support for their emotional and physical health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $154,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153679-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may be experiencing disordered eating or related psychological issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are under 21 years old or do not have any issues related to eating disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), a tool used to evaluate how individuals perceive and respond to signals from their bodies. By examining interoceptive awareness, which is crucial for understanding emotional and physical health, the study aims to identify how deficits in this awareness relate to eating disorders. The research involves analyzing data from self-report questionnaires to ensure the MAIA accurately reflects interoceptive sensibility across different demographic groups. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the effectiveness of mind-body interventions for individuals struggling with disordered eating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-targeted therapies for individuals with eating disorders by improving our understanding of their internal body awareness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using interoceptive awareness assessments to improve treatment outcomes for eating disorders, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mensinger, Janell Lynn — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Mensinger, Janell Lynn
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.