D-ECCO

Sarcopenia is a complex, multifactorial condition characterised by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, independent of body mass index (BMI) [1]. Unlike protein–energy malnutrition (PEM), sarcopenia encompasses a broader pathophysiological process affected not only by inadequate nutrition but also by chronic inflammation, disease-related metabolic alterations, ageing and physical inactivity [2, 3]. The recognition and management of sarcopenia are gaining importance in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) due to its considerable impact on clinical outcomes.

The D-ECCO Travel Award offers IBD Dietitians an opportunity to visit other IBD Centres, to learn about diet and nutrition in IBD. Verena Mëllo was awarded at ECCO’25 and travelled to the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

We were in Berlin for the 10th D-ECCO Workshop! The workshop was full, with our largest attendance to date – 194 participants, including not only dietitians but also a great mix of specialists from all over the world. I, Chen Sarbagili (the Netherlands), opened the workshop by informing participants that the ECCO Consensus on Diet and Nutrition in IBD would be presented for the first time during this ECCO’s plenary session, as well as by presenting the various opportunities available to all IBD Dietitian Members, including the D-ECCO Grant and the D-ECCO Travel Award.

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is a prescribed liquid diet providing 100% of energy intake while excluding all other foods and drinks. EEN is established as an effective therapy for Crohn's Disease (CD) that induces remission in up to 80% of patients [1, 2].

The D-ECCO Travel Award offers IBD Dietitians an opportunity to visit other IBD Centres, to learn about diet and nutrition in IBD. Guia Becherucci was awarded at ECCO’24 and travelled to the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.

Recent interest has focused on the role of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in IBD. UPFs are foods whose constituent ingredients are of exclusive industrial availability. Across Europe, 30%–60% of energy intake in the diet is from UPFs. Higher intakes of UPFs (especially through consumption of soft drinks, processed meat, salty snacks and refined sweetened foods) are associated with a greater risk of developing IBD, although a meta-analysis demonstrated an increased risk for Crohn’s Disease but not Ulcerative Colitis.

Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease has become a hot topic in recent years, pushed forward by advances in our understanding of the microbiome and the promise of nutrition as therapy, particularly in Crohn’s Disease. One of the most important questions in clinic (and yet the hardest to answer) remains “What can I eat?” or variations of the same. The reason this question is so difficult to answer is the enormous complexity in how diet overlays IBD and also the lack of high-quality scientific studies addressing this specific problem...

We were in Stockholm for the 9th D-ECCO Workshop! The workshop was full, with 162 attendees including not only dietitians but also a great mix of specialists from all over the world. Lihi Godny, the D-ECCO Chair, opened the workshop by presenting the various opportunities available to all IBD Dietitian Members, including the D-ECCO Grant and four Travel Awards.

The D-ECCO Committee would like to express gratitude to Lihi Godny, the retiring D-ECCO Chair, for her invaluable contribution in formulating and promoting a variety of opportunities for all IBD Dietitians.

As a D-ECCO Committee Member, it is my mission, along with my fellow D-ECCO’ers, to educate and train other dietitians and healthcare professionals in the field of IBD. Also, with dietary therapies and beliefs still growing and consolidating their place in the prevention and treatment of IBD, there is an emerging need for skilled dietitians to guide our patients in the different nutritional pathways throughout their disease. But what makes a dietitian skilled in the field of IBD? ...

Up to one-third of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) have persistent bowel symptoms despite apparent control of intestinal inflammation [1]. These symptoms fit with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a type of disorder of gut–brain interactions (DGBI). DGBI respond poorly to the pharmacological agents that are typically used to target inflammation in IBD.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can affect women during their reproductive years. Prenatal, perinatal and postnatal factors may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and can also affect the long-term health of the infant. The perinatal period raises many concerns for the patient with IBD beyond medical therapy that can be addressed by the IBD multidisciplinary team (MDT). However, there is a lack of robust evidence on perinatal holistic management in IBD, and guidelines usually do not address non-medical and nutritional management. Therefore, D-ECCO initiated a collaborative Topical R

After a long hiatus, the 18th ECCO Congress finally took place in person and face-to-face, which was very exciting. The 8th D-ECCO Workshop was full, with attendees including not only dietitians but also a great mix of specialists from all around the world. There were three Workshop sessions, on “Food science: there is more than EEN for Crohn’s Disease”, “Practical and clinical advice for the IBD dietitian” and “Psychological aspects of dietary management in IBD”. Apart from these sessions, great discussions were hosted and participated in by D-ECCO Committee Members and external speakers ...