Obesity among patients with HIV: the latest epidemic

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2008 Dec;22(12):925-30. doi: 10.1089/apc.2008.0082.

Abstract

Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), studies have been conflicting regarding weight information among patients with HIV. We performed a retrospective study among male patients with HIV between June 2004 and June 2005 at two large U.S. Navy HIV clinics to describe the prevalence and factors associated with being overweight/obese. Rates of obesity/overweight among HIV-positive patients were also compared to data from HIV-negative military personnel. Of the 661 HIV-infected patients, 419 (63%) were overweight/obese and only 5 (1%) were underweight. Patients with HIV had a mean age of 41.0 years (range, 20-73 years) and were racially diverse. The prevalence rates of being overweight/obese at the last visit were similar among both HIV-positive and -negative military members. Being overweight/obese at the last clinic visit was associated with gaining weight during the course of HIV infection (10.4 versus 4.0 pounds, p < 0.001), hypertension (36% versus 23%, p = 0.001), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL; 40% versus 31%, p < 0.001), and a higher CD4 cell count at last visit (592 versus 499 cells/mm(3), p < 0.001). These data demonstrate that patients with HIV in the HAART era are commonly overweight and/or obese with rates similar to the general population. Being overweight/obese is associated with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Weight assessment and management programs should be a part of routine HIV clinical care.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Overweight
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult