 Among older individuals, Crohn's disease may manifest as weight loss, usually related to decreased food intake, since individuals with intestinal symptoms from Crohn's disease often feel better when they do not eat and might lose their appetite.People with extensive small intestine disease may also have malabsorption of carbohydrates or lipids, which can further exacerbate weight loss.Crohn's disease can affect many organ systems beyond the gastrointestinal tract.