Understanding eating behaviors in autistic individuals across different ages and genders
Official title: Sex & Gender Informed Profiles of Eating Behaviors in Autism Across Childhood & Young Adulthood
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11056295 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being male or female affects eating habits in people with autism, from kids to young adults, to better understand issues like restrictive eating and eating disorders, so we can help those who might be struggling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $92,972 |
| NIH project number | 1R03MH136593-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056295 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include autistic individuals of various ages, particularly those who exhibit challenging eating behaviors or have been diagnosed with eating disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism or do not exhibit any eating behavior challenges may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sex and gender influence eating behaviors in individuals with autism from childhood through young adulthood. By analyzing data from multiple cohorts, the study aims to identify patterns of restrictive eating and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, in autistic individuals. The research seeks to understand the long-term clinical outcomes associated with these eating behaviors, addressing a significant gap in current knowledge. The study emphasizes the importance of considering gender differences in the development and maintenance of eating disorders among autistic individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of eating disorders in autistic individuals, enhancing their overall health and well-being.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on eating behaviors in autism, this study's focus on the intersection of sex and gender is relatively novel and has not been extensively explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrop, Clare Elizabeth — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Harrop, Clare Elizabeth
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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.