Understanding how people with Anorexia Nervosa value food choices
Official title: Constructing the subjective value of food in Anorexia Nervosa
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10929296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with Anorexia Nervosa think about and choose different foods, especially why they often prefer low-calorie options, and it aims to help improve treatment by comparing their choices to those of healthy individuals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $566,465 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132792-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa who are seeking treatment or support for their eating disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Anorexia Nervosa or those who are not currently experiencing issues with food valuation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cognitive and neural processes that influence how individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) assign value to different foods. By using advanced techniques such as functional MRI (fMRI) and eye-tracking, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind maladaptive food choices, which often involve a preference for low-calorie, low-fat options. The research will compare these processes in individuals with AN to those in healthy controls, providing insights into how food valuation can be altered to improve treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that help individuals with Anorexia Nervosa make healthier food choices and improve their treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding food valuation and decision-making in healthy individuals, but this specific approach in Anorexia Nervosa is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bakkour, Akram — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Bakkour, Akram
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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.