Fat intake is low in cystic fibrosis despite unrestricted dietary practices

A prospective study of caloric intake and specific nutrient composition was performed in 64 cystic fibrosis patients aged 0.3 to 18 yr. Linear regressions and multiple stepwise regressions revealed no significant correlations between any individual dietary parameter and age, height, weight, percentile of weight or height, Shwachman Score, and pulmonary parameters. The caloric intake varied widely in individual patients and in different age groups. Despite unrestrictive dietary practices, the fat intake (33.7% +/- 8) was below that recommended for these linoleate deficient patients.