Prevalence of overweight and obesity in a South Texas cystic fibrosis center

Background: Overweight and obesity rates have increased drastically among people with cystic fibrosis (CF), in part due to advancements in care, including highly effective modulator therapies (HEMT). Ethnic differences in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in CF are unknown. Methods: To determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity by ethnicity, we performed a cross-sectional retrospective chart review of patients ≥ 2yrs old with CF at the University of Texas Health San Antonio CF Center. Logistic regression stratified by age group (children: 2-17 yr, adults: ≥18 yr) was used to evaluate factors associated with overweight/obesity among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites after adjustment for confounders. Results: One hundred seventy-two patients (68 children/104 adults, 49% Hispanic, 47% female) were assessed. Overweight/obesity was prevalent in 35% of children and 42% of adults. Multivariable analysis revealed that the odds of overweight/obesity were lower in children (p = 0.032) and adults (p = 0.007) who used supplemental feeds, but higher among adults using HEMT (p = 0.037) and adults with higher FEV1pp (p = 0.016). Ethnic differences in overweight/obesity prevalence were not apparent in either age group. Conclusion: The odds of overweight/obesity were lower among children and adults using supplemental feeds, whereas HEMT use and having higher lung function were associated with increased odds among adults. Multi-center studies performed in diverse CF populations are essential to understand factors associated with overweight/obesity.