Understanding how social challenges and discrimination affect gut health and obesity in Filipino and Mexican American women
Official title: Social Isolation and Discrimination as Stressors Influencing Brain-Gut Microbiome Alterations among Filipino and Mexican American
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10993592 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how social isolation and discrimination may lead to changes in eating habits, gut bacteria, and brain function, contributing to obesity in Mexican and Filipina women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $756,949 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD015904-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993592 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Mexican and Filipina women who are interested in sharing information about their social experiences, diet, physical activity, and health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Mexican or Filipina women or are not experiencing social isolation or discrimination may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
What this research studies
Obesity is a significant health concern linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and social challenges are known to play a role. This project aims to understand how experiences like social isolation and discrimination influence eating behaviors and dietary patterns. We will also look at how these behaviors impact the connection between the brain, gut, and microbiome. Our goal is to uncover the specific ways these factors contribute to obesity, especially in Mexican and Filipina women who face a higher burden of both obesity and social stressors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent and manage obesity by addressing social factors and their biological impacts, particularly for Mexican and Filipina women.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has indicated that social stressors contribute to obesity risk and that brain-gut-microbiome alterations play a role, suggesting a foundation for this integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Church, Arpana — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Church, Arpana
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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.