Dietary intake in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis

The recommendation for caloric intake in CF patients is to obtain intakes between 110 and 200% of the estimated average requirement (EAR) for age groups and gender, of which 35-40 energy% should be from fat. It is questionable whether the advice is met.

1726 Completed 3-day dietary food records of 234 CF patients (111 girls) and 2860 completed two non-consecutive 24-h dietary assessments of healthy controls (1411 girls) were studied. The dietary intake in CF patients was compared with that of healthy controls by using independent sample t tests.

Caloric intake in children with CF varied highly with age (88-127% EAR), which is below or in the lower range of the recommended 110-200% EAR. However the absolute caloric intake in CF children was significantly higher compared to controls at all ages. In addition, apart from boys aged 1-3 years, all CF children had a fat intake of 35 energy% or more. This fat intake was significantly higher than in controls, as was the consumption of saturated fat, the latter being well above 10% of the total energy intake.

Although CF patients generally do not meet the EAR recommendations, they had a significantly higher caloric intake than controls. Moreover fat intake in CF patients does generally meet recommendations, but this resulted in a considerable consumption of saturated fat; a reduction of the latter seems appropriate.