Educational Program to Reduce Ultra-Processed Food Intake in Children and Teens with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether simple nutrition education can help children and teens with inflammatory bowel disease IBD reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods UPFs. UPFs include items like packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast foods that are high in added sugars, fats, and artificial ingredients. The study aims to find an effective and practical way to support healthier eating habits and improve long-term gut health in pediatric IBD. Participants are divided into three groups one receives only written nutrition handouts explaining UPFs and alternatives another receives both the handouts and a short educational video reinforcing key messages about healthy eating and a third group, consisting of children with gut-brain interaction disorders, completes dietary assessments without receiving educational materials. Researchers compare changes in UPF intake between these groups over several weeks. During the study, participants complete online food recalls to track their diets. Families are also asked about how useful and acceptable they found the educational materials. The main measurement is the change in UPF intake from baseline to follow-up within a 4 to 12 week window after the intervention. The study runs until December 2026, allowing researchers to assess dietary changes and gather feedback on the educational approaches.

Assessment and Educational Intervention to Reduce Ultra-processed Food Consumption in Pediatric Patients With IBD