Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel condition that results in loss of the normal architecture of the intestine. As a result nutrients are poorly absorbed and children often suffer from malnutrition. Crohn’s disease in children results in poor weight gain and low body mass index (BMI). They also may suffer from delayed maturation (sexual and behavioral) as well as poor growth. Cachexia is a medical condition characterized by protein wasting due to loss of caloric intake. It is often encountered at the end stages of chronic disease or in developing countries where food is scarce. The body essentially begins to break down its lean muscle mass, sparing the fat mass.

Many studies have documented the effects of Crohn’s disease on growth, development, and nutritional status. The effects of Crohn’s disease on lean mass and fat mass in children had not been studied until a recent publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine aimed to quantify the lean and fat mass in children and young adult with Crohn’s disease and compare to healthy matched control subjects. The study enrolled 104 subjects with Crohn’s disease and 233 healthy controls. Fat and lean mass was measured using DEXA.

The results showed that children and young adults have a body composition similar to individuals suffering from cachexia. Subjects with Crohn’s disease had a lower height for age and BMI for age. Children with Crohn’s disease had decreases in lean mass compared to healthy subjects and normal fat mass. In the control group fat mass and lean mass were positively correlated with one another, as one increase the other would. That trend was not present with the children with Crohn’s disease.

These results support past evidence that children with Crohn’s disease have significant deficits in growth and development. Understanding the relationship between lean and fat mass assimilation can help determine proper interventions from a nutritional standpoint. This information can also be useful in developing fitness programs to improve body composition in children with Crohn’s disease.