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Diet and Anthropometrics of Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparison With the General Population
Kay Diederen1, Hilde Krom1, Jeffrey C D Koole1
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have lower energy intake and higher food avoidance compared to peers. Monitoring diet and growth is crucial for managing pediatric IBD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Limited understanding of dietary patterns in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Need to compare nutritional intake and anthropometrics of children with IBD to the general population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the dietary intake of children with IBD against a healthy reference group.
- To assess anthropometric measurements and patterns of food avoidance in pediatric IBD patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional cohort study including pediatric IBD patients (under 18 years) from 2014-2017.
- Dietary intake assessed via Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).
- Comparison with a matched reference population (n=306).
Main Results:
- 102 pediatric IBD patients included; 11% exhibited growth failure.
- Lower energy and carbohydrate intake, but higher fat intake in IBD patients compared to controls.
- 53% of IBD patients reported food avoidance, particularly spicy foods, high-fat foods, and dairy.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IBD patients exhibit distinct dietary patterns, including reduced energy intake and significant food avoidance.
- Assessing dietary intake alongside anthropometrics is vital for preventing nutritional deficiencies and supporting health in children with IBD.
Background:
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the diet of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we investigated dietary intake in pediatric IBD compared to the general population and assessed anthropometrics and food avoidance.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional cohort study, patients younger than 18 years with IBD were included (2014-2017). Dietary intake (total energy, macro nutrients, food types) was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and compared with a matched reference population (n = 306).
Results:
There were 102 patients included (55% male, median age 15.0 years). Median height Z-score was -0.39 (interquartile range [IQR]: -1.17 to 0.26). Growth failure (height Z-scores<-1.64) was present in 11% of patients. Median BMI Z-score was 0.36 (IQR: -0.70 to 0.96). Acute malnutrition (weight-for-height Z-score<-2) was present in 3% of patients. Energy intake was lower in pediatric IBD compared to the reference population (mean kilojoule/day: 8286 vs 9794, P < 0.001). Protein intake did not differ, while fat intake was higher in pediatric IBD (mean gram/day: 101 vs 91, P < 0.001), with higher intake of vegetable oils/fats. Carbohydrate intake was lower in pediatric IBD (mean gram/day: 267 vs 305, P < 0.001), with lower intake of food types high in sugar. Food avoidance was reported in 53% of patients, with frequent avoidance of spicy (46%), high-fat food (30%), and dairy (30%).
Conclusions:
The diet of children with IBD differs from the general pediatric population, with lower energy intake and high rates of food avoidance. Evaluation of the dietary intake alongside anthropometrics may be important to prevent nutrition deficiencies and promote health.
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