Obesity and HIV: a compounding problem

AbstractObjectives: A cross-sectional study was undertaken at Lancers Road Clinic, Durban, South Africa to determine body composition, haemoglobin, serum albumin and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in asymptomatic ART-naive HIV positive adults.Methods: All eligible adults attending the clinic were sampled. Body composition was assessed using deuterium dilution. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for data analysis.Results: A total of 84 participants (CD4 count: 542.5 ± 145 cell/mm3) enrolled. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.5 (± 6.4) kg/m2 and the mean fat mass percentage was 44.9 (± 18.7). The prevalence of overweight (26.2%, 22/84) and obesity (46.4%, 39/84) was high. Mean haemoglobin (Hb) levels were 12.0 ± 1.6 g/dl. Mild, moderate and severe anaemia was present in 21.4% (18/84), 20.2% (17/84) and 1.2% (1/84) of patients, respectively. Mean albumin levels (36.2 ± 3.8 g/...