title: Increasing rates of obesity among HIV-infected persons during the HIV epidemic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence and factors associated with overweight/obesity among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated prospective data from a U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study (1985-2004) consisting of early diagnosed patients. Statistics included multivariate linear regression and longitudinal linear mixed effects models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1682 patients, 2% were underweight, 37% were overweight, and 9% were obese at HIV diagnosis. Multivariate predictors of a higher body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis included more recent year of HIV diagnosis, older age, African American race, and earlier HIV stage (all p<0.05). The majority of patients (62%) gained weight during HIV infection. Multivariate factors associated with a greater increase in BMI during HIV infection included more recent year of diagnosis, lower BMI at diagnosis, higher CD4 count, lower HIV RNA level, lack of AIDS diagnosis, and longer HIV duration (all p<0.05). Nucleoside agents were associated with less weight gain; other drug classes had no significant impact on weight change in the HAART era.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-infected patients are increasingly overweight/obese at diagnosis and during HIV infection. Weight gain appears to reflect improved health status and mirror trends in the general population. Weight management programs may be important components of HIV care.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America. nancy.crum@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Crum-Cianflone
authors.forename: Mollie Poehlman
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Roediger
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eberly
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Headd
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weintrob
authors.forename: R Vincent
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Barthel
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Agan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D058872:Epidemics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents