Effect of HIV infection on body composition and fat distribution in Rwandan women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association of HIV infection with body weight and composition in Rwandan women.


METHODS
Body weight and composition, the latter determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and by anthropometry, were compared in 620 HIV-positive and 211 HIV-negative participants. Associations of HIV with body composition were assessed, and t tests compared the groups.


RESULTS
HIV-positive women were younger (-7.0 years, P < .001) and shorter (-2.1 cm, P < .001). Mean body weight, body mass index (BMI), total body fat, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were similar. Mean fat-free mass was 2.5% greater in HIV-negative participants, and 19% of HIV-positive group had BMI <18.5 kg/m(2) versus 26% of the HIV-negative group (P < .05). CD4 counts and body composition were not associated.


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition was common in this cohort of Rwandan women. However, HIV infection was not associated with nutritional status. Factors other than malnutrition may influence quality-of-life outcomes in HIV-infected Rwandan women. Initiatives to improve nutritional status should be population-wide and not restricted to the HIV-infected population.
Mutimura
Eugene
E
Women's Equity in Access to Care &Treatment, Kigali, Rwanda. eumuran@yahoo.co.uk
Anastos
Kathryn
K
Zheng Lin
Cohen
Mardge
M
Binagwaho
Agnes
A
Kotler
Donald P
DP
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012432:Rwanda