Severe stress events and use of stress-management behaviors are associated with nutrition-related parameters in men with HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether severe stress events and more frequent use of stress-management behaviors among men with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are associated with more desirable nutrition-related parameters.


METHODS
Data on sociodemographic variables, severe stress events, stress management, and nutrition-related parameters were obtained from interviews, venipunctures, medical record reviews, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and questionnaires from the baseline wave of a three-wave longitudinal study.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 226 men with HIV who were attending one of three infectious disease clinics.


METHODS
Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to determine the association of severe stress events and mean stress-management subscore with nutrition-related parameters when controlling for CD4(+) T cells, age, income, and race.


RESULTS
Men with more severe stress events were more likely to experience nausea (odds ratio=1.4, P<.01) and change in appearance (odds ratio=1.25, P=.02). Men who more frequently used stress-management behaviors had a lower body mass index (beta=-1.14, P=.02), lower percent body fat (beta=-1.12, P=.05), more frequent use of nutritional-health promoting behaviors (beta=.52, P<.01), and were less likely to experience a change in appearance (odds ratio=0.63, P=.05) and have unintentional weight loss (odds ratio=0.54, P=.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Men with more severe stress events are more likely to experience undesirable symptoms that could adversely influence nutritional health. More frequent use of stress-management behaviors may provide a coping mechanism for stress associated with HIV and ultimately improve nutritional health of men with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Tromble-Hoke
Stephanie M
SM
Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0370, USA.
Langkamp-Henken
Bobbi
B
Reid
Kimberly
K
Hoffinger
Renee
R
Uphold
Constance R
CR
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019562:Viral Load; D015431:Weight Loss