Body image and cystic fibrosis: A critical review

A slight frame and poor appetite are common among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) yet healthy body weight has been related to a better prognosis. A review of studies exploring body image (BI) among adults and adolescents with CF was conducted. Seven electronic databases were searched for potential papers. They located 128 references, of which 24 were read in full and 12 included in the review. Accepted papers suggested females with CF had a better BI compared to males, but this could compromise survival, given their preference for a low body weight. Males may be more motivated to adhere to nutritional advice because they favor a larger form. Practitioners should broach the topic of BI at clinic appointments to ensure this does not have a detrimental impact on self-management, although more research is required to guide professionals in this task.

► In general, females with cystic fibrosis (CF) appear happy with their low weight, even though this can be detrimental to their long-term health.
► Males with CF tend to desire a larger body and may be more adherent to nutritional interventions as a consequence.
► Further research into practices people with CF engage in to achieve their preferred somatic form is needed because this may result in potentially dangerous behaviours (e.g., missing pancreatic enzymes and taking anabolic steroids).