Nutrition

COPD patients are at risk of weight loss and nutritional deficiencies because of a 15-20% increase in resting energy expenditure from breathing, a higher energy cost of daily activities and reduced caloric intake relative to need because of dyspnoea. Generalised muscle strength and efficiency of O₂ use are also impaired.

Patients with poorer nutritional status have a worse prognosis, so it is prudent to recommend a balanced diet with adequate caloric intake in conjunction with exercise to prevent or reverse malnutrition and muscle atrophy.

Reference

1. Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease: Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD. 2010. www.goldcopd.org