Nutrition isn't just a minor detail—it's part of the treatment.
With this message, the campaign “Losing weight? Don’t waste time!” kicks off—an initiative promoted by the National Association for Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (AMICI Italia), with the support of the Italian Society of Artificial Nutrition and Metabolism (SINPE).
The campaign was launched to draw attention to an issue that is still too often overlooked in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): the risk of malnutrition in people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The campaign is based on the results of a survey conducted by AMICI on malnutrition in IBD, which was carried out in February 2026 among 3,068 participants. The most significant finding is clear and concerning: only 1 in 5 people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis reported having undergone a malnutrition risk assessment by a healthcare professional.
Specifically, the survey found that 74.71% of patients had never undergone a professional nutritional screening, 18.02% had undergone at least one risk assessment, while 7.27% did not recall having undergone a nutritional assessment.
These figures highlight a significant gap: while intestinal disease is diagnosed, monitored, and treated, nutritional status is still too often overlooked in the course of care. Yet, in IBD, weight loss, muscle wasting, weakness, loss of appetite, and difficulty eating are not minor issues. They can be signs that need to be heeded, assessed, and addressed with care.
Take the test in 30 seconds
To help people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis identify potential nutritional risks, AMICI invites everyone to take a simple, free online test.
The test takes only a few seconds and can serve as a first step in determining whether you should discuss this with your doctor or request a nutritional assessment.
Take the online test
Find the MICI center participating in the campaign nearest you
The campaign involves several IBD centers across the country, with the aim of raising awareness about nutritional screening and promoting prevention and assessment programs.
The participating centers are:
Emilia-Romagna – Policlinico di Modena
Sicily – Policlinico di Palermo
Lombardy – Policlinico di Milano
Veneto – AOU di Padova
Campania – AO Federico II di Napoli
Lazio – Policlinico Gemelli
Piedmont – Molinette
Tuscany – AOU di Pisa
Apulia – Policlinico di Bari
The schedule of events related to screening
Several events focused on nutritional screening are already scheduled:
Emilia-Romagna – Policlinico di Modena
June 16, 2026
Sicily – Palermo General Hospital
June 17, 2026
Tuscany – Pisa University Hospital (AOU)
September 12, 2026
Lombardy – Policlinico di Milano
, September 2026
Lazio – Policlinico Gemelli
, September 2026
Apulia – Bari General Hospital
, September 2026
Veneto – Padua University Hospital (AOU)
October 26, 2026
Lombardy – Humanitas
October 27, 2026
Information on how to register for events will be made available through AMICI’s official channels.
Why is it important to discuss malnutrition in IBD?
Malnutrition is more common than people realize among those with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. According to available data, 1 in 5 people living with IBD is malnourished. In addition, 2 in 5 people have sarcopenia, which is a reduction in muscle mass, quality, and strength.
This means that a person may eat regularly but still fail to adequately consume or utilize the necessary nutrients. Illness, inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms, loss of appetite, unnecessary dietary restrictions, and certain challenging phases of the clinical course can all contribute to a worsening nutritional status.
That is why nutrition should not be viewed as an afterthought, but as an integral part of care.
Consequences that should not be ignored
Malnutrition associated with IBD can have significant consequences for health and quality of life. It can contribute to an increased risk of infections, the coexistence of other diseases or conditions, impaired wound healing, a greater need for treatment, longer hospital stays, and higher costs for both patients and the National Health Service.
It can also slow the return to normal health, impair quality of life, and, in severe cases, be associated with increased mortality.
Early recognition of the risk of malnutrition therefore means intervening sooner, preventing complications, and tangibly improving the course of treatment.
A simple gesture can make all the difference
With its campaign “Losing weight? Don’t waste time!”, AMICI aims to raise awareness: unintentional weight loss, feeling weaker than usual, eating less, or noticing changes in physical strength are not signs to be ignored.
Visit the AMICI Italia website
Prevention can start with a simple step: taking a free online test, talking to your doctor, and requesting a nutritional assessment when necessary.
Take this 30-second test and find out if you might be at risk of malnutrition
Bibliography
- AMICI Italia & SINPE. Malnutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Preliminary Results of the 2024 AMICI Italia Survey.
- Massironi et al. Inflammation and malnutrition inflammatory bowel disease. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. June 2023;8(6):579-590.
- ESPEN FACT SHEETS. 20
