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.
Diagnosis of IBD (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBD-U) for at least 3 months
Age 10 through < 22 years at the time of enrollment (i.e., up to the day before the 22nd birthday)
Followed by a gastroenterologist at Connecticut Children's
IBD in clinical remission based on calculated PUCAI score <10 or PCDAI score of <10
Following a medically prescribed or restrictive diet such as Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED), ketogenic diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), low FODMAP diet, gluten-free diet, paleo, or Whole30.
Receiving any nutrition through feeding tubes (including nasogastric [NG], nasojejunal [NJ], gastrostomy [G], or gastrojejunostomy [GJ] tubes)
History of bowel surgery within 3 months of study start affecting ability to sustain normal enteral intake
Non-English-speaking participants (as translation and short-form consent processes will not be used for this study)
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.
Cohort
Prospective
Handout-Only Intervention
BehavioralParticipants receive written nutrition handouts explaining what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are, how to identify them, and practical strategies to reduce UPF intake.
Handout + Video Intervention
BehavioralParticipants 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.
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