Obesity among HIV Patients: The Latest Epidemic

Since the advent of HAART, studies have been conflicting regarding weight information among HIV patients. We performed a retrospective study among male HIV patients between June 2004 and June 2005 at two large 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 five (1%) were underweight. HIV patients 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 vs. 4.0 lbs, p<0.001), hypertension (36% vs. 23%, p=0.001), low HDL (40% vs. 31%, p<0.001), and a higher CD4 cell count at last visit (592 vs. 499 cells/mm3, p<0.001). These data demonstrate that HIV patients 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.