Using social media to encourage body positivity in Latinx teens
Official title: Leveraging social media to promote body positivity among Latinx adolescents
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11163552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Latinx teens feel better about their bodies and improve their mental and physical health by using social media to share positive messages and support each other, aiming to reduce the negative feelings that come from weight stigma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $135,702 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MD019721-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latinx adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be affected by body image issues or weight stigma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latinx or who are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve the mental and physical health of Latinx adolescents by promoting body positivity through social media. It focuses on addressing weight stigma, which can lead to various health issues such as anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. By creating a social media intervention, the project seeks to change social norms around body image, encouraging teens to share positive messages and support one another. The approach involves engaging adolescents in a way that resonates with their daily lives and online interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health and body image among Latinx adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research on social media interventions for body positivity, preliminary findings suggest that similar approaches have shown promise in improving body image and reducing stigma.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Albert, Stephanie Lynn — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Albert, Stephanie Lynn
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.