Understanding eating control issues in Black adolescents with obesity and the impact of social factors.

Examining Loss of Control Eating in Black Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity: The Role of Social Contexts and Racial Discrimination

NIH-funded research University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-10916380

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States)
Project IDNIH-10916380 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Storrs-Mansfield, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.