Social Media Ads for Food Choice

Overseen By Zora Hall

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Non-Facebook users, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

3650 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how social media ads influence food choices among Black and White teenagers. The researchers aim to understand which aspects of these ads, such as the number of "likes" or the race of people featured, affect food purchasing decisions and calorie intake. Teens aged 13-17 who identify as non-Latino White or Black/African American, use Facebook daily, and can read and speak English might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased study, this research offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding social media's impact on teen health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on social media and food choices, so it's unlikely to require changes to your medication.

What prior data suggests that social media ads are safe for adolescents' food choices?

Research has shown that social media ads can greatly influence food choices, especially among young people. However, safety concerns are minimal. Unlike medicines, social media ads do not have side effects.

One study found that social media can affect food purchasing decisions. However, no evidence suggests that viewing ads directly harms anyone. The main concern is that ads might lead to unhealthy food choices over time, affecting long-term health habits rather than immediate safety.

In this trial, participants will only view different types of food ads. No reports have indicated negative effects from merely viewing ads. Therefore, the "treatment" involves simply looking at ads, and it is considered safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how social media ads can influence food choices, focusing on factors like race congruency and the number of likes. Unlike traditional methods that might focus on nutritional information or price, this trial looks at the psychological impact of digital advertising. By examining how different aspects of ads, such as the race of individuals featured and the social validation through likes, affect purchasing behavior, researchers hope to uncover new insights into consumer psychology and potentially guide healthier food choices through more effective advertising strategies.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective?

Research has shown that social media significantly influences the food choices people make. This trial will explore various aspects of social media ads and their impact on these choices. One study arm will examine the effect of race-congruent ads, while another will focus on race-incongruent ads. Other arms will investigate the influence of ads with many "likes" featuring either Black or White individuals. Additionally, some arms will assess the impact of ads featuring food or non-food products with varying numbers of "likes." Overall, evidence suggests that social media ads strongly shape the food choices of young people, especially when the ads receive many "likes" or feature popular influencers. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Marie A. Bragg, PhD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black and White adolescents interested in how social media ads might affect their food choices. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants should be healthy with no conditions that could interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 13 and 17 years old.

Identify as only non-Latino White or only Black/African American

Report that they log into Facebook at least once daily

Exclusion Criteria

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Aim 1: Online Survey and Food Purchasing Task

Participants complete a 15-minute online survey rating ads and a virtual food purchasing task.

1 day

1 virtual visit

Aim 2: Online Survey and Engagement Task

Participants view ads with varying 'likes' and indicate potential engagement actions.

1 day

1 virtual visit

Aim 3: In-Person Lab Study

Participants are exposed to ads while their eye movements are monitored.

1 day

1 in-person visit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any additional feedback or data collection post-study.

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Social Media Ads

Trial Overview The study investigates the impact of different types of social media ads on adolescents' food preferences. It looks at racially congruent/incongruent ads, number of 'likes', and non-food related content to see how these factors influence food choice and calorie intake.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: (Aim 3) Block 8: Non Food-Few Likes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with few "likes" featuring a non-food product

Group II: (Aim 3) Block 7: Food-Few Likes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with few "likes" featuring a food product

Group III: (Aim 3) Block 6: Non Food-Many Likes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with many "likes" featuring a non-food product

Group IV: (Aim 3) Block 5: Food-Many Likes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with many "likes" featuring a food product

Group V: (Aim 3) Block 4: White-Non Food Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with a White person featuring a non-food product

Group VI: (Aim 3) Block 3: Black-Non Food Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with a Black person featuring a non-food product

Group VII: (Aim 3) Block 2: White-Food Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with a White person featuring a food product

Group VIII: (Aim 3) Block 1: Black-Food Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to ads with a Black person featuring a food product

Group IX: (Aim 2) White Many Likes Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Food ads with many "likes" and featuring White individuals

Group X: (Aim 2) White Few Likes Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Food ads with few "likes" and featuring White individuals

Group XI: (Aim 2) Black Many Likes Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Food ads with many "likes" and featuring Black individuals

Group XII: (Aim 2) Black Few Likes Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Food ads with few "likes" and featuring Black individuals

Group XIII: (Aim 1) Condition 2: Race Incongruent Ads Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete a 15-minute survey in which they will be randomized to view and rate Facebook food ads associated with their condition. Then they will complete a food purchasing task in which they will shop in an online store that will display six food items and six beverages. Finally, they will answer demographic questions (e.g., self-reported height and weight) and view a debriefing summary that describes the full purpose of the study.

Group XIV: (Aim 1) Condition 1: Race Congruent Ads Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete a 15-minute survey in which they will be randomized to view and rate Facebook food ads associated with their condition. Then they will complete a food purchasing task in which they will shop in an online store that will display six food items and six beverages. Finally, they will answer demographic questions (e.g., self-reported height and weight) and view a debriefing summary that describes the full purpose of the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

New York University

Collaborator

Trials

249

Recruited

229,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Citations

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The Role of Social Media in Food Product Choices Made ... The study demonstrated that social media significantly affects the purchasing decisions of Polish consumers regarding food products.

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Social media and food consumer behavior: A systematic ... These findings have collectively demonstrated the multifaceted impact of social media on food purchase intentions, emphasising the importance of transparency, ...

4. gh.bmj.com gh.bmj.com/content/10/2/e014667

The impact of the social media industry as a commercial ... The review found most children and adolescents are exposed to food advertisements on social media and most advertised food is ultra-processed.

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Food advertisement influences food decision making and not ... This cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the influence of different forms of food advertisements on students' food choices and nutritional status.

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7. bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40795-025-01040-2

The use of social media to promote unhealthy food and ... This study examines the techniques used to advertise unhealthy food and beverages to children on social media in Indonesia.

8. foodsafetytech.com foodsafetytech.com/column/food-safety-imagery-in-social-media-exploring-the-positive-and-negative-aspects/

Food Safety Imagery in Social Media: Exploring the ... This article explores the multifaceted nature of website and social media images related to food safety and marketing, focusing on its impact on accountability ...