Courses

Transformative Nutritional Strategies for Managing Crohn’s Disease

What are the most effective nutritional strategies for managing Crohn’s disease?

Presenter: David Suskind, MD

Program Date: 13 August 2025

Publication Date: 08 January 2026

Continuing Education Credits: Nurse Contact 1.0 CE; Dietitian 1.0 CPEU

Course Description

Learn how nutrition can impact Crohn’s disease care. This course explores the effectiveness of dietary therapies, including exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), in inducing remission and improving clinical outcomes. Participants will also review strategies to overcome barriers and apply patient-centered approaches to nutritional management. Originally presented as a live webinar on 13 August 2025.

Course Objectives:
  • Evaluate the clinical efficacy of nutritional therapies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • Discuss the role of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in inducing remission in Crohn’s disease.
  • Interpret the impact of nutritional interventions on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes.
  • Identify barriers and strategies for implementing nutritional therapy in clinical practice.
  • Apply patient-centered approaches to nutritional management of IBD.
Key Takeaways:
  • Diet matters in Crohn’s disease care. Nutritional therapy can significantly impact remission, healing, and long-term outcomes.
  • Individualized approaches are important. Tailor dietary advice to each patient’s needs, preferences, and the ability to implement these changes. 
  • Nutrition helps strengthen overall treatment. Diet therapies such as exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), partial enteral nutrition (PEN), and the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED) can work alongside medications to improve remission rates, mucosal healing, and quality of life.

Performance Indicators: 5.2.7, 9.2.1, 9.2.3

Activity Code: 190712

Enroll
Related Questions:
  • Why focus on nutrition in Crohn’s disease care?
    Diet plays a critical role in managing inflammation, promoting mucosal healing, and improving remission rates in patients with Crohn’s disease.
  • What challenges might occur when implementing nutritional therapy?
    Common barriers include formula fatigue, compliance difficulties, insurance coverage, and social factors. Addressing these challenges with education and practical tips can help improve adherence and outcomes.
  • Why is mucosal healing important in Crohn’s disease?
    Mucosal healing reduces hospitalizations, flares, steroid use, and the need for surgery. Nutritional therapies, especially EEN, have shown a greater impact on mucosal healing compared to corticosteroids, making this a key tool in long-term Crohn’s disease management.

Course Instructor Bio(s)

David L Suskind, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Seattle Children's Hospital
Professor, Pediatrics
Division of Gastroenterology
University of Washington
Seattle, WA, USA

Dr David L. Suskind is a pediatric gastroenterologist and professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, serving as the Director of Quality Assurance and Improvement as well as ImproveCareNow Physician Lead at Seattle Children’s Hospital. He is a recognized leader in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in integrating dietary therapies into clinical care. Dr Suskind’s research has demonstrated that the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) can induce clinical and biochemical remission in pediatric patients with active Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. His studies also explore how dietary interventions influence the fecal microbiome, aiming to personalize treatment approaches. As a founder of NiMBAL (Nutrition in IBD and Lifestyle), Dr Suskind advocates for patient and family empowerment through education and evidence-based dietary strategies. His ongoing commitment to advancing pediatric gastroenterology has made a significant impact on both clinical practice and patient quality of life.

John Stutts, MD, MPH, FAAP

Medical Director, Pediatric Nutrition 
Medical Affairs and Research, Abbott Nutrition 
Columbus, OH, USA

John Stutts, MD, MPH, FAAP, is the Medical Director of Pediatric Nutrition at Abbott. He has participated in numerous clinical trials in his tenure, including many studies with the Norton Children’s Pediatric Clinical Research Unit. He is a past member of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Professional Education, Public Education, and Professional Development Committees. Dr Stutts earned his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Louisville. He completed his Pediatric Residency, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, and Master of Public Health from Vanderbilt University.

Category
CE CPEU Pediatric Disease State
Highlighted References:
  • Kaplan GG, Ng SC. Gastroenterology. 2017;152(2):313-321.e2
  • Turner D, et al. Gastroenterology. 2021;160(5):1570-1583.
  • Bischoff SC, et al. Clin Nutr. 2020;39(3):632-653.
  • Levine A, et al. Gastroenterology. 2019;157(2):440-450.e8.
  • Sigall Boneh R, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(4):752-759.
  • Yanai H, et al. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;7(1):49-59.
  • Colombel JF, et al. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(15):1383-1395.
  • Lee D, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024;78(5):1135-1142.
  • Haskey N, et al. J Crohns Colitis. 2023;17(10):1569-1578.
  • Sigall Boneh R, et al. J Crohns Colitis. 2017;11(10):1205-1212.

Abbott Nutrition’s Provider Statement for Nursing CEs:

Abbott Nutrition Health Institute is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing Provider #CEP 11213.

Abbott Nutrition’s Statement for Dietitian CPEUs:

This educational activity has been prior-approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR credentialed practitioners will receive the specified continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/material.