A Comparison of Food Group Variety Between Toddlers with and Without Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives: To compare the food group variety and nutritional adequacy of the diet between toddlers with cystic fibrosis (CF) and age-matched controls. Subjects A clinical sample of 22 toddlers with CF (mean age=21.3 +/- 7.2 months) matched to a community sample of 22 healthy peers.

Main Outcome Measures: The variety index for toddlers (VIT) and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR).

Results: Fruit group scores were highest for children with CF (0.95 +/- 0.13; possible range 0.00-1.00), and dairy group scores were highest for controls (0.90 +/- 0.18). All children earned the lowest scores for vegetables (CF: 0.15 +/- 0.12; controls: 0.26 +/- 0.22). No significant differences were found when comparing VIT and MAR scores by sample (P >0.05). A moderate positive relationship was found between total VIT scores and MAR scores for all children (r=0.38, P <0.05). Toddlers with CF did not achieve the 120-150% of Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for energy.

Conclusions: Toddlers with CF are consuming diets that are varied and nutritionally adequate for a healthy child. To optimize nutritional status and growth, current recommendations for toddlers with CF to eat a well-balanced diet and to exceed daily RDA for energy requirements remain key dietary issues.