Social Media Influence for Food Choice
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to examine how the number of "likes" on social media food ads affects the food choices of Black and White teens. The study will present different food ads with either a few "likes" or many "likes" to participants. Teens who identify as only non-Latino White or only Black/African American, are aged 13 to 17, and use Instagram daily are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased study, this research provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding social media's influence on teen food choices.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this method is safe for adolescents?
Research shows that social media can affect what teenagers eat. Studies have found that social media often promotes unhealthy eating, such as increased consumption of snacks and sugary drinks. However, the effect of "likes" on social media remains less clear. One study found that Instagram likes do not significantly change how much or what type of food people eat.
In this trial, titled "Few Likes" and "Many Likes," participants will view food ads with varying numbers of "likes." These ads are not expected to affect health or safety. The trial aims to understand how social media influences choices, not to test a drug or medical procedure. Therefore, no physical risks are involved in this study.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how social media engagement, like the number of "likes" on food ads, can influence food choices. Unlike traditional methods that focus on direct dietary education or nutritional information, this trial investigates the subtle psychological impact of social validation on decision-making. By examining different arm groups featuring "few likes" and "many likes" with diverse representations, the study aims to uncover how social media dynamics might sway consumer behavior, offering fresh insights into promoting healthier eating habits.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for influencing food choices?
This trial will explore how social media influences food choices by examining the impact of "likes" on food ads. Participants will encounter different treatment arms, including ads with few likes and many likes, featuring either Black or White individuals. Studies have shown that social media can strongly influence food choices, especially among young people. Research suggests that the number of "likes" on a social media post can make a food item seem more appealing. For instance, posts with more likes might make certain foods appear more popular or desirable, leading to increased interest in those foods. Social media exposure has also been linked to impulsive eating habits, often pushing young people toward unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks. Overall, the digital world can shape taste preferences and eating patterns, making these factors important to consider in any study about social media's impact on food choices.13678
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 non-Latino White or Black/African American adolescents aged 13-17 who use Instagram daily and can read and speak English. Those not fitting this specific demographic or unable to meet these requirements cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants are exposed to social media food ads with varying numbers of 'likes' and racial congruence
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for their responses and attitudes towards the ads
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Few Likes
- Many Likes
Trial Overview
The study is testing how the number of 'likes' on food advertisements in social media affects food purchasing choices among Black and White teenagers. The ads are categorized as having many likes or few likes, with variations tailored to each racial group.
How Is the Trial Designed?
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Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Food ads with many "likes" and featuring White individuals
Food ads with many "likes" and featuring White individuals
Food ads with many "likes" and featuring Black individuals
Food ads with few "likes" and featuring Black individuals
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
NYU Langone Health
Lead Sponsor
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
Citations
Social Media and Children's and Adolescents' Diets
Most studies reported that SM was associated with skipping breakfast, increased intake of unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages, and lower fruit and ...
The impact of social media influencers on health outcomes
We conclude that social media influencers have both negative and positive impacts on health outcomes, with negative impacts seen consistently in studies of ...
The relationships between social media exposure, food ...
The results showed that longer exposure times to social media were indirectly linked to an irrepressible urge to eat via increased impulsivity.
Full article: Influence of social media on young adults' food ...
The research findings reveal that social media significantly influences food choices and taste preferences (Nelson & Fleming, 2019; Onorati & ...
Do Social Media Likes Affect Food Consumption?
Social media platforms can be a strong tool affecting food consumption and food choice as an external element. Social networking sites (SNSs) ( ...
Social media's influence on adolescents′ food choices
The studies revealed two major findings: adolescents were more likely to recall unhealthy food and celebrity influence was a common component of ...
Food Safety for Millennials in Today's Era of Social Media
Their utilization of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube has revolutionized their approach to ensuring food safety and influencing food ...
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news-medical.net
news-medical.net/news/20241119/Social-media-reshapes-childrene28099s-diets-and-body-image-with-alarming-consequences.aspxSocial media reshapes children's diets and body image ...
From food ads to body image pressures, a global review exposes how social media drives unhealthy dietary habits in children as young as five.
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