Impact of social media likes on food choices in Black and White teens

A Randomized Trial to Examine the Influence of "Likes" in Social Media Food Ads on Black and White Adolescents' Food Purchases - Study 2

Not applicable Interventional NYU Langone Health · NCT06969638

This study tests how the number of 'likes' on food ads affects the food choices of Black and White teens.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1300 (estimated)
Ages13 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorNYU Langone Health Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT06969638 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized trial investigates how the number of 'likes' on social media food advertisements influences food purchasing decisions among Black and White adolescents. The study focuses on visual attention to unhealthy foods and the presence of racially congruent individuals in the ads. Participants will be exposed to different types of ads featuring varying numbers of likes to assess their impact on calorie intake. The goal is to understand the relationship between social media engagement and dietary choices in this demographic.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 13-17 who identify as either Black/African American or non-Latino White and use Instagram daily.

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how social media influences dietary habits, potentially guiding interventions to promote healthier food choices among adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored the influence of social media on food choices, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights, though this specific focus on racial demographics and likes is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* adolescent (13-17 years of age) who identifies as only non-Latino White or only Black/African American; who logs into Instagram once daily; who can read and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

\- participants who do not meet all criteria described above.

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 Food Selection
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.