Evaluation of anthropometric indices, eating habits, and their relationship with CD4 level in individuals with HIV/AIDS

Introduction
Malnutrition is one of the important and complex complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and anthropometry is a valuable clinical indicator in health planning and policy making among HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate anthropometric indices, eating habits, and their association with CD4 in individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Material and methods
This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on all individuals with HIV/AIDS over 20 years of age, who referred to a behavioral diseases counseling center in Iran in 2018. Census sampling method was conducted, and 122 patients were selected. Anthropometric indices were measured using standard methods, and nutritional status questionnaire was used to assess patients’ nutritional status.

Results
The mean body mass index in women and men were 25 and 22 kg/m2, respectively. Abdomi­nal obesity was 0.89 and 0.87 cm in female and male patients, respectively. Furthermore, 64% of patients had poor eating habits. Among food groups, consumption of water (p = 0.05) and carbonated drinks (p = 0.034) were significantly different between men and women. Among dietary groups, only meat and legumes group had a significant association with CD4 level (p = 0.047).

Conclusions
Although 57% of patients with HIV infection were within normal range, abdominal obesity was higher than standard values, and two thirds of the participants presented poor eating habits. Therefore, nutritional interventions are of great importance in this group of patients.