A first-of-its-kind online body image and well-being program designed to help people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) feel more positive about their bodies has been developed by Flinders University.

IBD, a chronic digestive disease including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, is rapidly increasing in Australia and projected to impact 200,000 Australians within a decade, outpacing Canada, the U.K. and New Zealand.

People with IBD often have body issues because the disease and its treatments can cause visible and emotional changes that can be very hard to cope with, says Dr. Mia Pellizzer, lead author of the new study published in Body Image.

“While much of the focus in IBD care has been on managing the disease, the psychological impact, particularly how patients perceive their own bodies, has often been neglected,” says Dr. Pellizzer from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

“The disease often needs major surgery which can result in significant scarring or medication-induced weight fluctuations with up to 81% of people with IBD experiencing distress related to their body’s appearance.”

Developed in collaboration with Flinders University, Flinders Medical Center and IBD patients, the program is aimed at improving body image and well-being for people with IBD.

The 10-module online program, designed to be completed over three weeks, draws on mindfulness techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and self-compassion training.

It features educational materials, guided exercises, and reflection tasks focused on appreciating body functionality, managing social comparisons, and challenging negative thought patterns.

“This wasn’t just about listening to patients—it was about partnering with them,” says Dr. Pellizzer from the Flinders University Institute of Mental Health and Well-being Blackbird Initiative.

“Their input fundamentally shaped what the program looks like, from the content and tone to how it’s been delivered.”

Although the primary aim of the project was program development, many of the co-design patients found the process itself helpful in feeling more positive about their condition.

Senior researcher on the paper and gastroenterologist, Associate Professor Réme Mountifield, says that this initiative marks an important shift in chronic disease management—one that blends clinical best practices with patient-led innovation.

“We found that simply being heard and contributing to something meaningful had a really positive emotional impact for the participants,” says Associate Professor Mountifield who has academic status with the College of Medicine and Public Health.

“Importantly, this project was about acknowledging a deeply personal, often painful aspect of living with IBD and creating a pathway to healing that is evidence-based, patient-driven, and emotionally validating.

“By listening to patient voices and targeting body image concerns head-on, it’s empowering them not just to manage their condition, but to thrive in spite of it.”

Next, the program will undergo pilot testing with Australians living with IBD, followed by a randomized controlled trial to rigorously assess its effectiveness, which is widely regarded as the gold standard in medical research.

If successful, it could eventually become an easily accessible resource for those struggling with body dissatisfaction related to the disease.