Understanding eating control issues in Black adolescents with obesity and the impact of social factors.
Official title: Examining Loss of Control Eating in Black Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity: The Role of Social Contexts and Racial Discrimination
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-10916380 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how social situations and experiences of racial discrimination impact eating habits in Black teens who are overweight or obese, and it aims to understand their feelings of losing control over eating by talking to them and gathering real-time information about their daily lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,485 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK132500-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916380 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black adolescents aged 12-20 who are experiencing overweight or obesity and issues with loss of control over their eating.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or who are not within the age range of 12-20 may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social contexts and experiences of racial discrimination affect loss of control over eating (LOC) in Black adolescents who are overweight or obese. By conducting focus groups, the study aims to gather qualitative insights from participants about their experiences with LOC and its connection to social stressors. Following this, ecological momentary assessment will be used to collect real-time data from adolescents to explore the relationship between individual vulnerabilities and their social environments. The goal is to better understand the unique challenges faced by this population regarding eating behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions tailored to the specific needs of Black adolescents struggling with obesity and eating control issues.
How similar studies have gone: While research on eating behaviors in adolescents is common, this specific focus on the intersection of racial discrimination and LOC in Black youth is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egbert, Amy — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Egbert, Amy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Telehealth Parent-Only Treatment for Kids with Autism and Overweight/Obesity
A telehealth program helps parents of children with autism and overweight/obesity lose weight and improve behaviors, using parent-focused sessions delivered remotely.
-
Understanding how phthalate exposure before birth affects childhood weight and if certain diets can help
This project explores how exposure to common chemicals before birth might affect a child's weight and if healthy eating habits can offer protection.
-
Telehealth Support for Parents of Children with Autism and Weight Concerns
This project helps parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who are also overweight or obese learn strategies to support their child's health through online sessions.
-
Effects of sedentary time on heart function in youth with overweight or obesity
This study is looking at how sitting too much might impact the heart's health in young people who are overweight or obese, to help find ways to keep their hearts healthier.
-
Helping parents promote healthy eating and exercise in pediatric cancer survivors with obesity
This study is helping families of kids aged 5-11 who have survived cancer and are dealing with being overweight or obese by encouraging parents to promote healthy eating and exercise, making it easier for everyone to adopt better habits together.
-
How prenatal exposure to phthalates affects childhood obesity and dietary strategies to protect against it
This study is looking at how being exposed to certain chemicals during pregnancy might affect a child's weight as they grow up, and it will also explore ways to help reduce any weight gain linked to these chemicals through diet.
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.