title: Nutritional attitudes of homosexual people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Chongqing, Southwest China: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: This article aimed at understanding nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of homosexual persons living with HIV/AIDS in Chongqing, China. A cross sectional design using a valid and reliable survey was used. The survey was completed in Chongqing, Southwest China (n = 172). Knowledge of nutrition was deficient regarding sources of nutrients such as calcium and iron, relationships between diet/nutrients and disease, and only 36.1% of participants knew about the Balanced Diet Pagoda for Chinese. Eating habits did not meet the nutritional requirements, and a majority (59.3%) did not eat breakfast every day. The average score on the knowledge quiz was 51.8%. This study showed that homosexual persons with HIV/AIDS in China longed for nutrition knowledge, and this was supported by objective data. Efforts and targeted education programs aiming to improve their nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors need to be emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Chongqing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Wenjie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu University, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Chongqing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D055815:Young Adult