Impact of social media likes on food choices in Black and White teens
Official title: A Randomized Trial to Examine the Influence of "Likes" in Social Media Food Ads on Black and White Adolescents' Food Purchases - Study 2
Run by NYU Langone Health · NCT06969638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how the number of 'likes' on food ads affects the food choices of Black and White teens.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | NYU Langone Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 29, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 2027 |
| Study ends | June 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06969638 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not meet the age, racial identity, or social media usage criteria will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marie A. Bragg, PhD — NYU Langone Health
- Study coordinator: Krystle Tsai
- Email: krystle.tsai@nyulangone.org
- Phone: 6465013880
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.