Physical Activity in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric gastroenterology
• Exercise science
• Chronic disease management

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition impacting children's growth, school attendance, and well-being.
• Physical activity (PA) offers potential anti-inflammatory benefits and other advantages for children with IBD.
• Understanding barriers and facilitators to PA in pediatric IBD is crucial but underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map and describe the existing literature on physical activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease populations.
• To identify reported barriers and facilitators influencing PA participation in children with IBD.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews.
• Literature published between 1980 and April 2022 on PA in pediatric IBD was systematically searched.
• Nineteen relevant articles were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• The reviewed literature included descriptive, interventional, and physiological response studies on PA in pediatric IBD.
• Children with IBD and healthy controls exhibited comparable physiological responses to exercise.
• Key barriers to PA included low self-esteem, body image concerns, and active IBD symptoms, while personal interest, social support, and family encouragement facilitated participation.

Conclusions:

• PA participation may alleviate symptoms in children with IBD.
• Further investigation into the short- and medium-term effects of PA on immune modulation is warranted.
• Regular PA is unlikely to negatively impact disease activity biomarkers in pediatric IBD.