Although some reviews state that the rate of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has plateaued in Western countries, a recent study shows that the number of IBD cases in the UK has actually increased over recent years.
Using electronic health records from the UK primary care, 2021 research in the BMC Gastroenterology found that IBD prevalence increased by 33.8% between 2006 to 2016, from 106.2 to 142.1 IBD cases per 10,000 adult patients. Meanwhile, the mean IBD incidence for the entire study period was 69.3 per 100,000 person-years.
Considering this chronic condition has significant costs in healthcare and overall quality of life, there must be a greater understanding of its risk factors, complications, and treatment. Another chronic condition, obesity, is said to contribute to and affect IBD, so let’s find out how the complex relationship between the two informs the management of both weight and IBD symptoms.
The relationship between IBD and obesity
There is a similar trend between the increased prevalence of obesity and that of IBD, which includes cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease (CD). Moreover, research suggests that about 15-40% of IBD patients are obese, prompting us to question the association between the development of IBD and weight status.
Beyond obesity and IBD both being multi-factorial, obesity itself can be a precursor to the onset of IBD due to its pro-inflammatory effect. By inducing pro-inflammatory mediators, obesity can contribute to the increased permeability of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and alterations in the gut microbiota, which both serve as risk factors for IBD. On the other hand, IBD can cause an increase in body weight, mainly as a side effect of using corticosteroids for treatment or quitting smoking as a suggested lifestyle modification.
Whether obesity increases the risk of IBD or stems from the inflammatory condition, the excess body fat can affect the clinical course of IBD treatment in terms of weight-based drug delivery and the likelihood of surgical complications. As such, the following section outlines tips to effectively manage and improve your weight and IBD outcomes at once.
Effective tips for improved weight and IBD outcomes
Adopt a weight loss plan
Since obesity can significantly influence how you respond to IBD treatment, it is crucial to maintain a healthy weight in the long term. Keep in mind that healthy and sustainable weight loss is not possible through extreme measures like crash diets. Instead, follow a weight loss programme that can be tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and overall lifestyle. WeightWatchers works with expert dietitians to formulate a meal plan that helps you lose weight while still addressing your nutritional requirements and triggers as an IBD patient.
Through the WW app, you can also develop healthy habits like recording your meal intake to identify which types of food help with both your weight and inflammatory symptoms. Your diet must then be complemented with regular
exercise, with low- and moderate-intensity exercises like walking and yoga being advisable since they can improve health outcomes without worsening IBD symptoms.
Track your symptoms
While IBD symptoms may differ from person to person, it is crucial for patients to record their stool consistency since this can be linked to common symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach pain, and bleeding. There are various methods to help you log your stools in a detailed manner, including the Bristol stool scale, which uses texture and composition to determine whether your stool is healthy or a cause for concern.
Additionally, recording stool output can also guide the dietary habits mentioned in the previous item, as you can adjust your diet accordingly or inform your dietitian about foods that you can tolerate well. IBD can also have symptoms unrelated to digestion or bowel movement, such as joint pain and fatigue. Thus, it also helps to document these experiences with a pain scale of 1-10, especially when doing specific workouts so you can figure out the right fitness plan for you.
In summary, the inflammatory state of obesity can affect IBD symptoms and outcomes. However, you can modify your diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle to ensure a healthy weight and successful IBD treatment. For more information and resources on living with IBD, check out the other blog posts here at A Balanced Belly.