Effects of TikTok food ads on calorie consumption in youth

A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining How TikTok Influencers' Posts With Vs. Without Food Differentially Affect Youth Dietary Choices

Not applicable Interventional NYU Langone Health · NCT05777486

This study tests how food ads on TikTok affect what kids aged 10 to 13 choose to buy and eat.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages10 Years to 13 Years
SexAll
SponsorNYU Langone Health Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT05777486 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates how food advertisements posted by TikTok influencers influence calorie purchases among youth aged 10 to 13. Participants will be randomly assigned to view either food-related influencer ads or non-food-related ads. After viewing the ads, they will complete a food purchasing task in an online store featuring various food and beverage items. The study aims to understand the impact of social media marketing on dietary choices in a young demographic.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are youth aged 10-13 who identify as non-Latino White or Black/African American and use TikTok daily.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the age, racial identity, or TikTok usage criteria will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how influencer marketing affects dietary habits in children, potentially guiding healthier advertising practices.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on social media marketing exist, this specific approach focusing on TikTok influencer ads and their direct impact on calorie consumption is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must be 10-13 years old
* Identify as only non-Latino White or only Black/African American
* Report that they log into TikTok at least once daily
* Read and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any criteria not met as listed above will bar an adolescent from participating in the study

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Calorie Consumption
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.