The Relative Contribution of Food Groups to Macronutrient Intake in Children with Cystic Fibrosis : a European Multicenter Assessment

Background: Optimal nutrition for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) improves prognosis and survival, but an increased caloric intake recommendation for this population raises concerns about the nutrient profile of their diets. Objective: Our aim was to assess the relative contribution of food groups to the total macronutrient intake of European pediatric patients with CF. Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which the participants recorded dietary intake from 2016 to 2017. Specifically developed nutritional composition databases were used to obtain nutritional data, including macronutrients and food groups, according to previously standardized criteria. Participants/setting: Two hundred and seven pediatric patients with CF from six European centers were involved in the My App for Cystic Fibrosis self-management project. Main outcome measures: Participants reported dietary intake with a detailed 4-day food record. Statistical analysis performed: Descriptive analyses of nutrient intake, food group consumption, and dietary origin of macronutrients were conducted with R software. Results: Similar patterns were found in nutrient and food group intake; both sugar and saturated fatty acids contributed >10% each to the total daily energy intake in all the centers. Large mean and median percent differences were observed in the intake of other nutrient and food groups, because sweets and snacks were consumed once or twice a day, and fruit and vegetables were consumed two or three times a day. Milk, meat, sweets and snacks, and oils were the main sources of fat in all centers. Conclusions: Study findings indicated less than optimal nutrient profiles, especially for sugars and saturated fatty acids, resulting from the high consumption of meat, dairy, and processed products and low consumption of fish, nuts, and legumes. These results can serve as a basis for future tailored interventions that target improved adherence to nutritional recommendations for patients with CF.