? Core 3: Lifestyle and Behaviors Core There have been considerable advances in research and medical therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF); however, therapeutic interventions for non-pulmonary, systemic manifestations have been neglected. Fortunately, the median survival rate in CF is on the rise. Therefore, a paradigm shift to focus on modifiable lifestyle and behavioral outcomes that will enable long-term quality of life in CF is critically needed. Individuals with CF are less physically active than their peers and lower exercise capacity is associated with greater mortality, steeper decline in pulmonary function, and more pulmonary infections. Sleep is an essential, restorative, biologic process crucial for maintaining and optimizing health. Poor sleep in CF has not only been associated with progressive lung disease, but also reduced quality of life and daytime performance. Diet has long been a cornerstone of CF therapy; however, diet quality has not been a focus and its role within the changing landscape of CF or its effects on co-morbidities (such as CF-related diabetes) and long-term health are unknown. The overall goal of the Lifestyle & Behaviors Core (LBC) within the Georgia CF Core Center is to bring advanced methodologies to CF-focused research and to accelerate translational, bio-behavioral research comprised of exercise, physical activity, diet, and sleep outcomes in people with CF. This Core will fill a critical knowledge gap by increasing awareness, educating and disseminating knowledge, and supporting the integration of important lifestyle and behavioral measurements and outcomes into clinical investigations across the lifespan. This will be accomplished by three Aims, as follows:
Aim 1. To provide training, project-specific consultation and support for assessing, collecting, and interpreting exercise, physical activity, diet, sleep and behavior change data in CF studies.
Aim 2. To enhance the utilization and integration of instruments and tools related to lifestyle and behaviors into clinical and translational research in children and adults with CF.
Aim 3. To incorporate extensive phenotyping of lifestyle and behavior outcomes into the longitudinal Georgia CF Data Warehouse hosted by the Core Center. The proposed LBC is unique among the currently funded P30 CF Centers. Successful implementation of this core will enable Center Investigators to undertake research to focus on the interaction of lifestyle and behavioral outcomes that are essential for the control of CF related diabetes, the primary focus of this P30 application, and other comorbidities and conditions within the mission of the NIDDK.
