The link between food insecurity, diet, and stress hormones

Food Insecurity, Poor Diet, and Metabolic Syndrome: Cortisol’s Amplifying Role

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-10877883

This study looks at how not having enough food can affect your health, especially by checking the stress hormone cortisol, to see how it might lead to issues like obesity and diabetes, and it’s for anyone who wants to understand the connection between stress, eating habits, and health.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10877883 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how food insecurity affects health, particularly focusing on the role of cortisol, a stress hormone. It aims to identify individuals at higher risk for negative health outcomes related to food insecurity, such as obesity and diabetes. By examining cortisol levels and their relationship with food consumption patterns, the study seeks to understand how stress influences dietary choices. The approach combines various methods to gather comprehensive data on the impact of food insecurity on metabolic health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing food insecurity, particularly those with high cortisol levels or stress-related eating behaviors.

Not a fit: Patients who are food secure and do not experience stress-related eating patterns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that improve dietary habits and health outcomes for those facing food insecurity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing the psychological and physiological aspects of food insecurity can lead to improved health outcomes, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Chronic Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.