Well-being and food

Question

Hello,
I'm currently a dietetics student ("BTS") and I have to accomplish a personal study. Awared by TV spots and by a first research during my senior year, I have chosen Cystic Fibrosis for my subject of study.
I would like to know if food has an impact on the well-being of CF people?
Thank you.

Answer

Hello,

First of all, we could congratulate you for choosing this subject; diet has a major role in the monitoring and management of patients with cystic fibrosis.
It is known that good nutrition is correlated with better lung function and with a more favorable outcome. Therefore, it seems very likely that adequate nutrition leads to higher well-being and a better quality of life, although many factors are entangled.
A recent american study published in the "Journal of Cystic fibrosis" assessed the correlation between nutritional status, quality of life and self-image, in 95 patients aged 9-19 years. This study found an association between nutritional status, better quality of life scores and better body image: "Nutritional status is associated with health-related quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis aged 9-19 years" (Shoff SM, Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 2013 Feb 11).
Regarding your work on nutrition in cystic fibrosis, you will find the documentation on the website of the French CF Association "Vaincre La Mucoviscidose" (www.vaincrelamuco.org).
I also recommend the following article:
Nutrition in patients with cystic fibrosis : a European Consensus, Sinaappel.M , 2002.
I wish you good luck with your project.
Cordially
Michèle Gérardin

09.12.2013