Change in Nutrient and Dietary Intake in European Children with Cystic Fibrosis after a 6-Month Intervention with a Self-Management mHealth Tool

Calvo-Lerma, Joaquim; Boon, Mieke; Hulst, Jessie; Colombo, Carla; Asseiceira, Ines; Garriga, Maria; Masip, Etna; Claes, Ine; Bulfamante, Anna; Janssens, Hettie M; Roca, Maria; Vicente, Saioa; Fornes, Victoria; Zazzeron, Laura; van Schijndel, Bo; Woodcock, Sandra; Pereira, Luisa; de Boeck, Kris; Ribes-Koninckx, Carmen

doi:10.3390/nu13061801

Change in Nutrient and Dietary Intake in European Children with Cystic Fibrosis after a 6-Month Intervention with a Self-Management mHealth Tool

Author:

Calvo-Lerma, Joaquim

Boon, Mieke ; Hulst, Jessie ; Colombo, Carla ; Asseiceira, Ines ; Garriga, Maria ; Masip, Etna ; Claes, Ine ; Bulfamante, Anna ; Janssens, Hettie M ; Roca, Maria ; Vicente, Saioa ; Fornes, Victoria ; Zazzeron, Laura ; van Schijndel, Bo ; Woodcock, Sandra ; Pereira, Luisa ; de Boeck, Kris ; Ribes-Koninckx, Carmen

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Nutrition & Dietetics, cystic fibrosis, nutrition, self-management, m-health, nutrients, diet, food groups, dietary habits, ENZYME REPLACEMENT THERAPY, NUTRITION EDUCATION, ADOLESCENTS, SURVIVAL, ADULTS, TRIAL, Child, Child, Preschool, Cystic Fibrosis, Diet, Eating, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Mobile Applications, Nutrients, Nutrition Policy, Nutritional Status, Self-Management, Telemedicine, 0908 Food Sciences, 1111 Nutrition and Dietetics, 3202 Clinical sciences, 3210 Nutrition and dietetics, 4206 Public health

Abstract:

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-long genetic disease, causing increased energy needs and a healthy diet with a specific nutrient distribution. Nutritional status is an indicator of disease prognosis and survival. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a self-management mobile app in supporting patients with CF to achieve the dietary goals set by the CF nutrition guidelines. A clinical trial was conducted in pancreatic insufficient children with CF, followed in six European CF centres, where the self-management app developed within the MyCyFAPP project was used for six months. To assess secondary outcomes, three-day food records were compiled in the app at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of use. Eighty-four subjects (mean 7.8 years old) were enrolled. Compared to baseline, macronutrient distribution better approximated the guidelines, with protein and lipid increasing by 1.0 and 2.1% of the total energy intake, respectively, by the end of the study. Consequently, carbohydrate intake of the total energy intake decreased significantly (-2.9%), along with simple carbohydrate intake (-2.4%). Regarding food groups, a decrease in ultra-processed foods was documented, with a concomitant increase in meat and dairy. The use of a self-management mobile app to self-monitor dietary intake could become a useful tool to achieve adherence to guideline recommendations, if validated during a longer period of time or against a control group.