Development and testing of the South African National Nutrition Guidelines for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Malnutrition is a common consequence of HIV infection, and weight loss is used as a diagnostic criterion for HIV/AIDS. The relationship between HIV/AIDS and malnutrition and wasting is well described,1,2 with nutritional status compromised by reduced food intake, malabsorption caused by gastrointestinal involvement,3 increased nutritional needs as a result of fever and infection, and increased nutrient losses.4,5 Malnutrition contributes to the frequency and severity of opportunistic infections seen in HIV/AIDS6 and nutritional status is a major factor in survival.7-9