Could a brief digital tool support Teens with body image and eating concerns?

Every week, I hear from parents who say some version of the same thing:

“Something just doesn’t seem right, but I don’t know if I’m overreacting.”

Maybe their teenager has become increasingly preoccupied with food. Maybe they’re exercising more than ever before. Maybe they’ve stopped wanting to eat with the family or seem consumed by body image and appearance.

The challenge is that eating disorders don’t typically begin overnight. They often start with subtle changes—many of which can easily be mistaken for “healthy habits,” especially during adolescence and young adulthood.

And that’s exactly why research like this matters.

The ACCESS Lab at Washington University in St. Louis, led by Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft, is conducting the EMBody Study—a national research study designed to test a brief digital tool to support teens and young adults experiencing concerns about body image, eating, and emotional well-being.

Adolescence is the period when many eating disorders and body image concerns first emerge. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when many young people don’t have access to specialized support, and social media often adds to the pressure rather than relieving it.

The ACCESS Lab is working to change that by developing accessible, evidence-based digital tools that can reach teens and young adults wherever they are.

Your teen or young adult may be eligible if they:

• Are 13–19 years old

• Live in the United States

• Speak English

• Have access to a smartphone

• Have body image or eating concerns

If eligible, participants will:

• Complete three online surveys

• Receive access to the digital tool

• Earn up to $45 for participating

The eligibility screening takes approximately 10–15 minutes.

One of the biggest challenges in eating disorder prevention is that many young people never receive support until symptoms have become severe.

Researchers are increasingly exploring whether digital interventions can help identify concerns earlier, improve body image, and provide support before problems become more serious.

Participating in research like this contributes to developing better prevention and early intervention strategies for future generations.

You can learn more and complete the eligibility screening here:

EMBody Study Screening:
https://washu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0PX2BXw3bYrT1rM?Source=Align33

Questions?

ACCESS Lab – Washington University in St. Louis

📧 accesslab@wustl.edu

📞 (314) 626-0245

At Align33 Media, one of our goals is to connect families with credible resources, research opportunities, and organizations working to improve eating disorder prevention and treatment.

I’m grateful to the team at Washington University in St. Louis for the work they’re doing to better understand how we can support young people before eating disorders take hold.

If you’re a parent, coach, educator, healthcare provider, or know a teen or young adult who may be interested in participating please consider sharing this opportunity. Sometimes the most meaningful advances in healthcare begin with people who choose to participate.

Because earlier conversations lead to earlier intervention, and intervention should be accessible to all