Introduction:
Functional constipation is common among children. Appropriate diet seems to be important in therapy.

Aim:
Quantity and quality of dietary components among children with functional constipation are to be assessed.

Material and methods:
50 children with constipation (aged 3-18) were assessed referring to the nutrition manner. 30 patients without constipation were a control group. Dietary analysis was based on the dietary history and on the Dietetyk-programme-formulated menu.

Results:
Constipated children were slightly more overweight or obese than the control group (p = 0.700). Fibre intake was lower in the investigated-group (0.35 ± 0.1 g/kg/d) than in the control-group children (0.55 ± 0.1 g/kg/d). Calcium intake was comparable among the constipated (813 ± 182.4 mg/d) and the controlled (941.7 ± 176.1 mg/d)(p = 0.019). Differences in magnesium intake were observed as 128 ± 91,4 mg/d and 241 ± 103.8 mg/d in the investigated and the control group respectively (p = 0,019). Fluid intake in the constipated group was 61 ± 22.4 ml/kg/d and 71.7 ± 9.8 ml/kg/d in the control group (p = 0.012). Fruit and vegetables consumption was 334.3 ± 118.3 g/d among children with constipation and 400 ± 84.6 g/d among children without constipation. Snacking at night or before bed-time was observed among 5 constipated children (10%) and 2 children from the control group (6.5%). Snacking between meals was noticed among 40 children with constipation (80%) and 21 children without constipation (70%). Nutrition-manner analysis showed the right fibre intake among 20% constipated patients and among 47% control-group patients.

Conclusions:
Most children with constipation use inappropriate diet or wrong nutrition habits. Dietary advice may be indispensable in non-pharmacological treatment of children with constipation.