An observational study in IBD, Crohn Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), sponsored by Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 10 Years to 21 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-16.
Sponsored by Connecticut Children's Medical Center · Observational
This study explores whether simple nutrition education can help children and teens with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) eat fewer ultra-processed foods (UPFs). UPFs include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food-items that are high in added sugars, fats, and artificial ingredients. Participants will complete online food recalls to measure what they eat and will then receive either nutrition handouts alone or handouts plus a short educational video about UPFs. Researchers will compare changes in UPF intake between the two groups after several weeks and ask families how useful and acceptable they found the materials. The goal is to identify an effective, practical way to support healthier eating habits and long-term gut health in pediatric IBD.
Children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 8-21 years) with inflammatory bowel disease or a disorder of gut-brain interaction receiving care at Connecticut Children's. Participants will complete dietary recalls and brief surveys to evaluate nutrition education about ultra-processed foods.
Exclusion Criteria:
Children and teens with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) who receive written nutrition handouts explaining what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are, common examples, and ways to choose less-processed alternatives.
Behavioral: Handout-Only Intervention
Children and teens with inflammatory bowel disease who receive both written handouts and a short educational video reinforcing key messages about UPFs, healthy eating, and simple strategies to improve diet quality.
Behavioral: Handout + Video Intervention
Children and teens with disorders of gut-brain interaction (such as functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome) who complete the same dietary assessments but do not receive educational materials. This group provides comparison data for baseline dietary patterns.
Participants receive written nutrition handouts explaining what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are, how to identify them, and practical strategies to reduce UPF intake.
Participants receive the same nutrition handouts plus a short educational video reinforcing key messages about UPFs and healthy eating choices.
Change in Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Intake
Description: Percent of total daily energy from NOVA Group 4 foods, comparing baseline to follow-up.
Time frame: Baseline and follow-up within a 4-12 week window after intervention
Plan to share: No
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Connecticut Children's Medical Center