Prospective study of food intake and nutritional status in HIV infection

Weight loss is a common feature of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The aetiology of such weight loss is multifactorial; however the relative importance of factors involved is unknown. In order to test the hypothesis that a gross reduction of food intake is one of the factors responsible for weight loss seen in HIV disease, we prospectively measured food intake for 7 days in 11 male HIV antibody positive subjects and nine male control subjects. Anthropometric measurements were taken to assess nutritional status and fat absorption was assessed using 1–14C Triolein breath test. In the 3 months preceding the study mean weight loss was 3.9±1.2 kg. (s.e.m.) for the HIV antibody positive group. Protein and energy intakes were not significantly different between the two groups. HIV infected subjects had significantly lower mid‐arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and grip strength (GS). Fat malabsorption of a minor degree was detected in only three subjects. These data suggest that constitutionally well HIV infected subjects have reduced MAMC and GS in the face of apparently adequate protein and energy intakes.