What is the relationship between COPD and nutritional therapy?

• A. Malnutrition is common due to increased metabolic rate and lack of appetite
• B. High-protein diets cause COPD
• C. Nutrition has no impact
• D. Sleep quality is primary

Answer: (A)

In COPD, nutrition and body composition strongly influence how well a person can breathe, exercise, and fight infections. The work of breathing and the chronic inflammatory state raise energy needs, while symptoms like dyspnea, fatigue, and sometimes a reduced appetite decrease food intake. This combination often leads to malnutrition and loss of lean body mass, including respiratory muscles, which in turn worsens ventilation, lowers exercise tolerance, and increases the risk of complications. Nutritional therapy aims to meet those higher energy requirements and preserve or rebuild lean mass, typically with adequate calories and higher protein, along with strategies to improve intake despite dyspnea.

That’s why the statement that malnutrition is common due to increased metabolic rate and lack of appetite is the best answer. The other choices don’t fit because nutrition does impact COPD outcomes (not no impact), high-protein diets do not cause COPD (they support muscle preservation), and sleep quality is important but not the primary relationship being addressed by nutritional therapy.