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. 2023 Jun;192(3):1115-1124.
doi: 10.1007/s11845-022-03097-5. Epub 2022 Jul 16.

Dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study

Aoife Murtagh  1 , Lorraine Cooney  2 , Clement Higginbotham  3 , Patricia Heavey  3
Affiliations

Dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study

Aoife Murtagh et al. Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Background: It is widely accepted that there is an association between diet and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diet may play a role in disease pathogenesis but also in treatment and management of IBD. There is an increased interest in dietary aspects of people with IBD.

Aims: To investigate dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with IBD in Ireland.

Methods: An online questionnaire was adapted to explore dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of people with IBD, and to identify any dietary modifications made due to their IBD.

Results: A total of 475 participants (female n = 354, male n = 121) took part in this study, 62% had Crohn's disease and 38% had ulcerative colitis. Dietary restrictions were imposed in the hope of preventing a relapse by 85% of participants. The most reported foods avoided included fatty foods (68%), spicy foods (64%) and raw vegetables or fruit (58%). Low fibre white plain foods (74%) appeared to improve symptoms during a relapse. Participant's appetites were higher during remission (8.36, SD = ± 1.95), compared to during relapse (3.71, SD = ± 2.32) (P ≤ 0.001). Almost three-quarters (73%) avoided the same menu as others living in their household and 56% avoided eating out to prevent or for fear of causing a relapse. Additionally, 70% avoided food or drink they liked to try prevent a relapse.

Conclusion: These findings provide important insights into the dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with IBD. Its evident diet plays an important role, and our findings reiterate the importance of patient education and support.

Keywords: Diet; Dietary behaviours; Dietary beliefs; Dietary practices; Inflammatory bowel disease.

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