Perceived body image and eating behavior in young adults with cystic fibrosis and their healthy peers

Treatment aimed at achieving an ideal nutritional status is an integral par t of the management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Emphasis is cont inually placed upon dietary intake and weight. The effects of this on eatin g behavior and self-perceptions are unclear This work compared male and fem ale CF adults with a healthy male and female control population with regard to (a) clinical variables, (b) actual, perceived, and desired body shape/b ody mass index (BMI), and (c) body satisfaction, eating behaviors and attit udes, and self-esteem. Clinical data were recorded for 221 adults with CF a nd 148 healthy controls. All subjects completed BMI Charts (perception of b ody weight/BMI), the Eating Attitudes Test, and scales of body satisfaction and self-esteem. CF patients had poorer lung function and nutritional stat us than controls. Control males accurately perceived their body shape/BMI a nd were content with it, whereas CF males viewed their BMI as greater than it actually was and desired to be much heavier. Control females viewed thei r body shape/BMI as less than it actually was and desired to be even slimme r, in comparison with CF females who perceived their BMI as less than it ac tually was but were happy with their perceived shape/weight. Control subjec ts, especially females, dieted to a greater extent and were more preoccupie d with food (with binge eating and intended vomiting) than CF patients. Con versely, those with CF reported greater pressure from others to eat than di d controls. More problems with food/eating behavior were associated with le ss body satisfaction and reduced self-esteem. In comparison with a healthy control population, the perceptions and behaviors of CF adults relating to eating, weight, and body image are not abnormal. Indeed, females with CF ha ve fewer problems than their healthy peers.