Digital illustration of a teen girl with IBD looking at a mirror, seeing doctor and growth chart in reflection.

IBD and Your Teen: What the Research Says About Growth and Development

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores the impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) on adolescents' growth, body composition, and long-term health."

For teens and their families, the diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing conditions like Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), can bring a swirl of concerns. Beyond managing symptoms, there's the worry about how IBD might affect growth and development. A recent study sheds light on this by examining how IBD impacts adolescents' weight, height, and overall health. Let's break down what this research reveals and what it means for young people and their families.

IBD is a chronic condition where the digestive system experiences inflammation. The effects can vary, but common concerns include growth impairment, nutritional deficits, and delayed puberty. Understanding these potential impacts is crucial for providing the right care and support.

This article delves into the latest findings, aiming to provide a clear understanding of how IBD affects teenagers, especially concerning their physical development. We'll explore the key takeaways from the research and discuss what these insights mean for managing IBD and ensuring the best possible outcomes for young people.

Unpacking the Research: Key Findings on IBD and Adolescents

Digital illustration of a teen girl with IBD looking at a mirror, seeing doctor and growth chart in reflection.

The study, which examined a large group of Israeli adolescents, found that teens with CD showed some distinct differences compared to their peers without IBD. Specifically, males and females with CD tended to have lower weight and lower Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to those without IBD. There were no significant differences in height among the groups, indicating that the research highlights specific areas of concern within the broader context of IBD.

Delving deeper, the study examined the age at which IBD was diagnosed. It revealed that teens diagnosed with CD before age 14 were, on average, shorter than their peers. This finding stresses the importance of early diagnosis and management in CD. However, no such height differences were noted in those with UC.

Weight and BMI: Teens with Crohn's disease (CD) tended to have lower weight and BMI compared to those without IBD.
Height: No overall height differences were found, except in CD patients diagnosed before age 14, who were shorter.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC): No significant differences in weight, BMI, or height were found in the UC group.

These findings underscore that IBD affects adolescents differently, with CD presenting a more significant impact on growth metrics. Early diagnosis and management are particularly critical for those with CD to mitigate potential long-term effects on growth and development. The study stresses the importance of tailored care plans that address the specific challenges faced by adolescents with IBD.

Looking Ahead: Implications and Future Directions

The study provides essential insights for families and healthcare providers. It shows how CD can specifically impact adolescents. For parents, early detection, tailored treatments, and consistent monitoring are key. Further research should explore the long-term effects of IBD treatments and genetic factors on growth and development. By understanding these complex factors, we can better support adolescents with IBD and help them thrive.

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.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/ibd/izy336, Alternate LINK

Title: Anthropometric Measures In Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Study

Subject: Gastroenterology

Journal: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Itai Ghersin, Neron Khateeb, Lior H Katz, Saleh Daher, Raanan Shamir, Amit Assa

Published: 2018-10-24

Everything You Need To Know

How does Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) generally affect teenagers?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can significantly impact teenagers by causing growth impairment, nutritional deficits, and potentially delaying puberty. Conditions like Crohn's Disease (CD) may lead to lower weight and lower Body Mass Index (BMI). Early diagnosis and tailored care plans are essential to mitigate these effects. However, the effects of IBD can differ, with Crohn's Disease (CD) having a more significant impact on growth than Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

What did the research reveal about the connection between Crohn's Disease (CD) diagnosis age and a teen's height?

The research indicated that teens diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (CD) before the age of 14 were, on average, shorter than their peers. This highlights the critical importance of early diagnosis and management of Crohn's Disease (CD) to minimize potential long-term impacts on growth. However, no such height differences were observed in adolescents with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), suggesting a variance in how these two conditions affect adolescent development. Further studies could examine the specific biological mechanisms behind this variance, potentially involving hormonal factors or differences in disease activity location.

In what specific ways do Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) differently affect adolescents according to recent research?

According to recent research, Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) impact adolescents differently. Teens with Crohn's Disease (CD) tend to have lower weight and lower Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to those without IBD. Furthermore, those diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (CD) before age 14 were shorter. In contrast, the study found no significant differences in weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), or height in adolescents with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). These findings suggest that the impact of Crohn's Disease (CD) on growth and development may be more pronounced than that of Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Future studies should explore the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to these differences.

What are the long-term implications for adolescents who have been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's Disease (CD), before the age of 14?

For adolescents diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), specifically Crohn's Disease (CD), before the age of 14, the long-term implications can include stunted growth and potential nutritional deficiencies. The research suggests that early diagnosis and management are essential to mitigate these effects. Without proper intervention, these adolescents may not reach their full growth potential, impacting their overall health and well-being. Future research should focus on the impact of IBD treatments on long-term growth and development, as well as the genetic factors that may play a role in these outcomes. Understanding these complex factors will enable healthcare providers to develop more effective and tailored care plans for adolescents with IBD.

What future research directions are recommended to better understand and support adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Future research should focus on several key areas to improve the care and support for adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Further studies should explore the long-term effects of IBD treatments on growth and development, as well as the genetic factors that may contribute to these outcomes. Additionally, research should investigate the specific mechanisms by which Crohn's Disease (CD) affects growth differently than Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Understanding these complex factors will enable healthcare providers to develop more effective and tailored care plans for adolescents with IBD, helping them to thrive and achieve their full potential. Longitudinal studies tracking growth, bone density, and puberty progression in pediatric IBD patients are needed.