Nutritional recommendations for children with cystic fibrosis

Optimal nutrition is important for long-term health in children with cystic fibrosis. Many children are not meeting the recommendations for calorie intake and percent calories from fat. Therefore, children with cystic fibrosis need improved nutritional interventions. Effective nutritional interventions combine behavioral techniques and nutritional information. To monitor progress and provide individualized feedback to families, a weighed diet diary of food and beverage intake is necessary. Growth should be assessed at each medical appointment to measure outcomes and prompt more intensive interventions when problems arise. Children with cystic fibrosis should grow normally and early nutritional interventions are essential to meeting this goal.