Gamified App Aims to Ease Diabetes Management for Young Adults

When 17-year-old Will Coleman was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, his family discovered a glaring gap in resources for young adults managing the condition—and turned to innovation to fill it.

Coleman’s mother, Leanne Chukoskie, and Ph.D. student Sundararaman Rengarajan developed Sugar Slay, a gamified mobile application designed to help young adults track glucose levels while balancing academic and social responsibilities.

The app integrates with WHOOP fitness trackers and glucose monitors, using machine learning to adapt to users’ behaviors and assign daily “missions” that encourage consistent data tracking.

Sugar Slay’s development was driven by the challenges of transitioning from pediatric to adult diabetes care. Rengarajan explained:

"Type 1 means you need to take insulin shots and be mindful of what you eat, how much sleep you get, how much exercise you do, and understand how these affect your glucose variability. Even though Leanne was in the field, it was difficult for them to adapt."

Kat Lucas, a diabetes advocate at The Diabetes Link, highlighted the broader implications of such tools:

"Navigating these challenges is paramount to positive health outcomes, yet they're rarely discussed in the clinical setting."

The app is currently undergoing testing with the Northeastern University community and awaits copyright approval for a companion app targeting trusted adults, such as parents or caregivers.

Type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in children aged 4-7 or 10-14, can also affect older teens like Coleman, who now manages his condition while attending college.

⚠️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER: It is for informational purposes only. It never substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor regarding any questions about your health.