Introduction:
People with Cystic Fibrosis (PWCF) have increased energy requirements. In recent years, however, concerns have emerged regarding the ‘CF diet’ in terms of reliance on energy-dense nutrient poor foods which tend to be higher in saturated fat, sugar and salt. These foods lack essential nutrients and are aetiologically linked with diet-related chronic diseases.
Aims and Hypotheses:
To explore habitual dietary intakes in people with CF and assess (i) adherence to CF dietary guidelines and population specific healthy eating guidelines, (ii) derive a diet quality score and the inflammatory potential for the average diet consumed by PWCF and assess associations with patient reported outcome measures. With focus groups we aim to (iii) assess drivers for current consumption patterns and enablers and barriers to eating a healthy diet.
We hypothesise that diets currently consumed by PWCF are energy dense but nutrient poor and will have a pro-inflammatory potential. We hypothesise that health related quality of life measures and reported symptoms will be associated with diet quality.
Methods:
A mixed methods study. Using 3 day food diaries and food frequency questionnaires we will address aims (i) and (ii). The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score and Healthy Eating Index-International (HEI-I) will derive diet quality scores. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) will ascertain inflammatory potential of the diet. Validated questionnaires will be used to report health related quality of life measures. Online focus groups with PWCF will address aim (iii).
Discussion: It is timely to revise dietary priorities and targets for CF. However, a greater understanding of what adults with CF currently consume and what they require in terms of nutrition and dietary guidance into the future is needed. In doing so, this research will help to clarify nutrition priorities and simplify the dietary aspects of CF treatment, thereby supporting adherence.