Understanding the early signs of eating and mental health disorders in youth

Integrating developmental and genomic approaches to identify early trajectories of eating and internalizing disorder symptoms

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11082500

This study is looking at how eating disorders and related mental health issues start in kids and teens, hoping to find out what genes and life experiences play a role, so we can better spot and prevent these problems for those who need help.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11082500 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how eating disorders and related mental health issues develop in children and adolescents. By analyzing data from large cohorts, the study aims to identify the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to these disorders. It focuses on understanding the overlapping and unique symptoms of eating disorders and internalizing disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The goal is to improve detection and prevention strategies for these conditions, ultimately benefiting affected individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents who may be experiencing symptoms of eating disorders or internalizing disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of 0-20 years or do not exhibit symptoms related to eating or internalizing disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better early detection and prevention strategies for eating and mental health disorders in youth.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the developmental trajectories of mental health disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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 2026-06-10 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.