The Rising Epidemic of Obesity in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This comprehensive review explores the increasing prevalence of obesity among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and investigates its impact on disease pathophysiology, response to therapy, and overall clinical outcomes. As obesity rates rise globally, it is important to recognize the complex interplay between obesity and IBD.

Contrary to the misconception that IBD patients are predominantly underweight, current evidence suggests that 15–40% of IBD patients have obesity. The review delves into recent epidemiological data indicating a parallel increase in obesity rates and IBD incidence. Moreover, it highlights the significance of visceral adiposity, over traditional measures such as body mass index (BMI), in disease severity, surgical outcomes, and response to therapies in patients with IBD.

This review highlights importance of addressing the growing prevalence of obesity among IBD patients. The intricate relationship between obesity, visceral adiposity, and IBD outcomes necessitates a shift from BMI-centric evaluations to more nuanced assessments such as visceral fat measurements. Understanding the impact of these parameters on response to therapy, especially biologics, is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies in this high-risk population. Additionally, the review emphasizes the bidirectional relationship between obesity and IBD, and the unmet needs to guide future research to elucidate these complex interactions.