Needs and Goals

Meeting Nutritional Needs and Goals

Infants, children and adolescents with CF are expected to gain weight and grow like their peers without CF.

1. Your child’s weight and length are measured andmonitored closely by your CF team using GROWTH CHARTS
2. Length and height should progress at a predictable rate for age, sex and genetic potential.
3. Weight should be maintained at an average weight for length or height according to National

Standards for all healthy children

• From birth to age 2 years weight and length are plotted on the growth chart.

  A weight for length at or above the 50th percentile is an “ideal body weight” for an infant or young child with CF

• From age 2 to 20 years the body mass index (BMI) is plotted on the growth chart

  BMI is the relationship between weight and height (BMI= kg body weight/m2 height)

  A BMI at or above the 50th percentile is an “ideal body weight” for a child with CF.

• Adults with CF over the age of 20 are expected to maintain an average BMI

  Adults with CF over the age of 20 are expected to maintain an average BMI

  A Male’s ideal BMI is 23kg/ m2

Critical Growth Periods are times of life when energy and nutrient needs are at their highest and can be challenging times for maintaining optimal nutrition for people with CF

Infancy

A time of rapid growth of bones, body tissues such as muscles, lungs, brain and other vital organs

Growth during the first few years of life affects lung function later in life (LINK)

Behavioral feeding issues

Adolescence

A time of rapid growth of bones and increasing fat and or muscle mass

A time with a higher risk for CF related diabetes (CFRD)

Often a time of increased physical activity with organized sports

A time of increased independence including changes is self perception, lifestyle habits, and decreased adherence to CF therapies and dips in self esteem.

Pregnancy

A time of increased energy needs to support fetal growth and development

A time of increased nutrient needs such as iron, folic acid, essential fatty acids, calcium and vitamin D.

A time of increased risk of abnormal glucose tolerance (insulin resistance) and gestational diabetes

Pre-planning for pregnancy is recommended

Lactation

A time of increased energy needs to produce milk (about 700 additional calories daily)

A time of increased Vit D and calcium needs

A time of increased fluid needs

Lactation may not be advisable if Mom is not well nourished.