Surreal illustration symbolizing the impact of IBD diagnosis age on adolescent growth.

IBD and Adolescent Growth: What You Need to Know

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Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Uncover the latest findings on how Inflammatory Bowel Disease affects growth in adolescents, and what it means for long-term health."


Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is more than just a gut issue; it's a group of chronic disorders characterized by immune-mediated inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. While many associate it with digestive discomfort, IBD can significantly impact overall development, especially in children and adolescents.

The rise in childhood-onset IBD cases worldwide is concerning. This early onset often leads to a more aggressive disease course and increases the risk of complications like growth retardation, nutritional deficits, and delayed puberty. Understanding these challenges is the first step in mitigating their effects.

Growth impairment in pediatric IBD patients is a well-documented issue, sometimes present even before diagnosis. But what about the long-term impact? Does IBD continue to affect growth and development into late adolescence? This article will discuss the latest research into how IBD affects adolescents' weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) and explain how to approach IBD.

How Does IBD Affect Anthropometric Measures in Adolescents?

Surreal illustration symbolizing the impact of IBD diagnosis age on adolescent growth.

A recent population-based study investigated the impact of IBD on anthropometric measures in over 1 million Jewish Israeli adolescents. The study, published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, examined weight, height, and BMI in late adolescence, differentiating between Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

The key findings revealed:

  • Weight and BMI: Adolescent males and females with CD had significantly lower weight and BMI compared to their healthy peers. This trend was not observed in UC patients.
  • Height: Overall, there were no significant height differences at late adolescence between IBD patients and controls. However, a subgroup analysis revealed that CD patients diagnosed before age 14 were significantly shorter.
  • Malnutrition: A higher proportion of male CD subjects were classified as malnourished (BMI < third centile) compared to controls.
In simple terms, adolescents with Crohn's disease tend to be leaner than their peers, and those diagnosed at a younger age may not reach their full height potential. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing IBD.

What Does This Mean for Parents and Adolescents with IBD?

While the study provides valuable insights, it's important to remember that every individual is unique. If your child has IBD, regular monitoring of their growth and nutritional status is crucial. Early intervention, including optimized nutrition and appropriate medical treatment, can help mitigate the potential impact of IBD on their development. Don't hesitate to discuss any concerns with your child's healthcare provider.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and why should I be concerned about it?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic disorders where the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation. It's important because it can affect overall development, especially in children and adolescents, leading to complications beyond just digestive issues, such as growth retardation, nutritional deficits, and delayed puberty. This is especially concerning with the rise in childhood-onset IBD cases worldwide.

2

What are anthropometric measures, and why were they studied in relation to IBD?

The study examined weight, height, and Body Mass Index (BMI). It is significant because growth impairment is a well-documented issue in pediatric IBD patients. The study revealed that adolescent males and females with Crohn's Disease had significantly lower weight and BMI compared to their healthy peers, and those diagnosed before age 14 were significantly shorter. This highlights the importance of monitoring these anthropometric measures and early intervention to mitigate the potential impact of IBD on development.

3

What's the difference between Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and how do they affect adolescents differently?

Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) are both types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but they affect different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and have distinct characteristics. The key difference highlighted is that adolescents with Crohn's Disease tend to have significantly lower weight and BMI, and may not reach their full height potential if diagnosed at a young age, while these trends were not observed in Ulcerative Colitis patients. This implies that the impact of IBD on growth and development can vary depending on the specific type of IBD.

4

What does it mean if someone with IBD is classified as malnourished, and why is that important?

Malnutrition, specifically defined in the study as a BMI below the third centile, was more prevalent in male Crohn's Disease (CD) subjects compared to controls. This matters because adequate nutrition is essential for growth and development, especially during adolescence. Malnutrition can exacerbate the growth-related complications associated with IBD, such as delayed puberty and reduced final height. It underscores the need for nutritional support and intervention as part of managing IBD.

5

Why is early diagnosis and intervention so important for adolescents with IBD?

Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial because Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's Disease (CD), can significantly impact growth and development in adolescents, especially if diagnosed before age 14. Early intervention, including optimized nutrition and appropriate medical treatment, can help mitigate the potential impact of IBD on their development, improving long-term health outcomes. Regular monitoring of growth and nutritional status is essential to address any concerns promptly.

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