ABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study aimed to compare dietary intake in people living with HIV (PLHIV) experiencing symptoms of depression with those not reporting depression. The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D10) was used to classify the risk of depression. Dietary nutrient intake was determined using the diet history and food frequency questionnaire. Depressed (n = 21) compared with non-depressed (n = 37) subjects had significantly lower mean intake of fibre (16.1 versus 25.4 g/day), vitamin A (801.5 versus 1524.8 mg/day), magnesium (299.8 versus 380.0 mg/day) and folate (264.8 versus 402.9 µg/day). The proportion of subjects achieving the recommended intake of these nutrients, with the exception of folate was also found to be lower in the depressed group compared with non-depressed group. The study found that depressive symptomatology in PLHIV was associated with poorer dietary nutrient intake. A multidisciplinary model of care that includes a nutrition assessment is recommended for the management of PLHIV with depression to reduce the risk of associated nutritional problems.
Subject(s)
Depression/virology , Diet/psychology , HIV Infections/psychology , Adult , Australia , Chi-Square Distribution , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet Records , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Dietary Fiber/analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Micronutrients/administration & dosage , Micronutrients/analysis , Middle Aged , Nutritive Value , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Knowledge about the relationship between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); nutritional status; treatment; food and nutrition interventions continues to accumulate. This article provides an overview of the main nutrition related issues for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and a review of the potential benefits of nutrition interventions for people affected by HIV. Nutrition plays a vital role in the immune system of all people; including (PLHIV). Good nutrition strengthens the immune system; while HIV infection and poor nutrition have a cumulative effect in damaging it. PLHIV are more vulnerable to malnutrition than the general population and nutritional status is a good predictor of their mortality risk. Malnutrition in PLHIV often occurs in a background of poverty and lack of access to food. It is not always possible toidentify one single cause as the main contributor to declining nutritional status or malnutrition in HIV. Inadequate food intake; increased requirements and malabsorption are the main reasons for weight loss in PLHIV. Asymptomatic adults with HIV infection have a 10higher energy requirement and symptomatic PLHIVhave 20-30higher energy requirements than the general population. Kilojoule/kilocalorie requirements increase by 50-100in children experiencing weight loss. Evidence for increasing protein and micronutrient intake in healthy PLHIV is inadequate. Nutritional education should be an essential component of HIV care and treatment; as it can help PLHIV cope with symptoms of disease; prevent weight loss and manage side effects of medication. In resource limited settings; food support programs may be required in addition to nutrition support to optimise nutritional status and health outcomes in PLHIV who are food insecure.higher energy requirement and symptomatic PLHIVhave 20-30higher energy requirements than the general population. Kilojoule/kilocalorie requirements increase by 50-100in children experiencing weight loss. Evidence for increasing protein and micronutrient intake in healthy PLHIV is inadequate. Nutritional education should be an essential component of HIV care and treatment; as it can help PLHIV cope with symptoms of disease; prevent weight loss and manage side effects of medication. In resource limited settings; food support programs may be required in addition to nutrition support to optimise nutritional status and health outcomes in PLHIV who are food insecure
