A common presentation in CF includes being hungry but underweight due to malabsorption.

A common presentation in CF includes being hungry but underweight due to malabsorption.

• A. Overweight despite high appetite
• B. Hungry but underweight
• C. Normal weight with no appetite changes
• D. Rapid weight gain

Answer: (B)

In cystic fibrosis, pancreatic insufficiency leads to fat malabsorption, so the body isn’t getting the calories it needs even if appetite is strong. Fat digestion is impaired because the pancreatic enzymes that break down fats aren’t available, resulting in poor absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. That malabsorption causes weight loss and underweight despite hunger, because the calories from food aren’t being absorbed efficiently. The pattern described—hunger with underweight—fits this mechanism well. Other patterns, like being overweight with high appetite, normal weight with no appetite changes, or rapid weight gain, don’t align with the common CF issue of fat malabsorption driving nutritional deficits.

In cystic fibrosis, pancreatic insufficiency leads to fat malabsorption, so the body isn’t getting the calories it needs even if appetite is strong. Fat digestion is impaired because the pancreatic enzymes that break down fats aren’t available, resulting in poor absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. That malabsorption causes weight loss and underweight despite hunger, because the calories from food aren’t being absorbed efficiently.

The pattern described—hunger with underweight—fits this mechanism well. Other patterns, like being overweight with high appetite, normal weight with no appetite changes, or rapid weight gain, don’t align with the common CF issue of fat malabsorption driving nutritional deficits.