This study describes the nutritional status and complications of people with HIV/AIDS. Of the 107 participants, 42% were considered “at nutritional risk” and 12% were considered malnourished. The most commonly reported complications contributing to nutritional risk included food insecurity (46%), diarrhea (36%), poor appetite (34%), lipodystrophy (31%), hyperlipidemia (30%), nausea (26%), and obesity (22%), a mix of malnutrition and metabolic complications. Food insecurity alone was found to be a significant predictor of nutritional risk. This study demonstrates that people with HIV/AIDS continue to be at increased nutritional risk and that complications are complex. Nutritional screening and intervention are paramount.
Adequate nutritional status supports immunity and physical performance. Weight loss, caused by low dietary intake (loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, food insecurity), malabsorption, and altered metabolism, is common in HIV infection. Regaining weight, particularly muscle mass, requires antiretroviral therapy (ART), treatment of opportunistic infections, consumption of a balanced diet, physical activity, mitigation of side effects, and perhaps appetite stimulants and growth hormone. Correcting nutritional status becomes more difficult as infection progresses.