An American Diabetes Association grant is backing an AI-powered adolescent diabetes prevention app that links teens, families, and clinicians. Built at the University at Buffalo with PreventScripts, the PrevenTeen project uses phone-based screening, goal setting, and remote monitoring to cut obesity risk and protect long-term heart and metabolic health in daily primary care. More than 1 in 5 U.S. teens live with obesity. Many families want practical nutrition help, but they struggle to find it during short clinic visits. A new three-year grant to the University at Buffalo (UB) aims to change that by turning smartphones into simple tools that support daily healthy habits and improve cardiometabolic markers over time.

How the AI-powered adolescent diabetes prevention app will fit into care

Screening and guidance inside the visit

UB researcher Amanda Ziegler, PhD, and the Primary Care Research Institute will place structured screening surveys in routine visits and connect results to clinic systems. The app will help providers see clear, patient-specific lifestyle guidance without adding extra steps. This setup supports honest, non-stigmatizing conversations about food, activity, and sleep. PrevenTeen functions as an AI-powered adolescent diabetes prevention app inside routine primary care. It gathers data teens already track on their phones, then helps the care team turn that information into small, steady changes the family can manage.

Tools teens will actually use

The project adapts a proven adult platform from PreventScripts for youth with input from local teens and parents. Features include:

Quick screening and check-ins synced with clinic records

Personal goals for eating, movement, sleep, and screen time

Remote monitoring to spot progress and barriers

Clinician-connected messages for timely support

Community feedback to keep content age-appropriate and motivating

Who is building it, and why now

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB leads the work with partners at UBMD Pediatric Endocrinology at Conventus, Niagara Street Pediatrics, and Broadway Pediatrics. Co-investigators include Lucy D. Mastrandrea, MD, PhD; Teresa Quattrin, MD; and Sarah Ventre, MD. This is implementation science in action. The team is not inventing yet another pilot that stays in the lab. They are moving tested methods into everyday clinics so families can benefit sooner. PreventScripts has already shown gains in adult primary care patients, improving several cardiometabolic measures with strong patient satisfaction. Now, a youth-focused version will meet teens where they are: on their phones, in their homes, and during regular checkups.

What the study will test

Advisory first, trial second

The project starts with an advisory board of clinicians, teens, and family members. They will shape the app content and workflows so they fit busy visits and real home life. A small pilot will follow to confirm that the app is easy to use and engaging.

Randomized clinical trial

The final step is a randomized clinical trial with 72 teens who have obesity. Half will use the PrevenTeen mobile program. Half will receive enhanced usual care. Researchers will track weight-related measures and other cardiometabolic outcomes to see if the app drives measurable change.

Why families and clinicians can both benefit

Less guesswork, more action

Many clinicians want to help with nutrition and activity but report low confidence, few tools, and fear of shaming patients. With an AI-powered adolescent diabetes prevention app in hand, providers can start with the same brief surveys for all patients, then offer specific, doable steps based on each teen’s data.

Small wins add up

Teens do best with clear targets they can reach and see. The program focuses on actions that move the needle:

Swap sugary drinks with water most days of the week

Add 10–15 minutes of daily movement and grow from there

Set a steady sleep schedule to support appetite control

Track a few habits, not everything, to stay consistent

Connected support

Because the app links to clinic systems, the care team can see progress, send brief encouragement, and address barriers early. That steady touch can reduce missed visits and keep healthy changes going between appointments.

What success could look like

If the study meets its goals, clinics could:

Screen more teens for diabetes risk during routine visits

Deliver short, effective counseling backed by data

Improve weight, blood pressure, and other risk markers

Engage parents without blame, and teens without shame

Scale the model across pediatrics and family medicine

The bigger win is culture change. When everyday care includes a simple digital path for food, movement, and sleep, teens can build habits that protect health for life. Schools, community groups, and health plans could then plug into the same approach to reach more families. This project shows promise because it pairs real-world clinic flow with tools teens already use. It respects time limits, keeps goals small, and focuses on results that matter. Strong community ties in Buffalo, guidance from pediatric experts, and a clear testing plan raise the odds that lessons from this work will spread. If that happens, many more clinics could bring practical lifestyle care to the front line—and keep more teens out of the diabetes danger zone. The ADA grant gives this effort the push it needs. With the right design and support, this AI-powered adolescent diabetes prevention app can help cut risk now and build healthier futures. (p)(Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260916/New-ADA-grant-funds-AI-mobile-tool-to-prevent-teen-diabetes.aspx)(/p) (p)For more news: Click Here(/p)

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