Distinct gender differences in anthropometric profiles of a peri-urban South African HIV population : a cross sectional study
Date
2015-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has extended life expectancy and enhanced the well-being
of HIV-positive individuals. Since there are concerns regarding HAART-mediated onset of cardio-metabolic diseases in
the long-term, we evaluated the anthropometric profile of black HIV-infected individuals in a peri-urban setting
(Western Cape, South Africa).
Methods: A cross sectional study design was followed to describe the gender differences in different HAART
treatment groups. HIV-positive patients (n = 44 males, n = 102 females; 20–40 years) were recruited for three
groups: 1) control (HIV-positive, HAART-naïve), 2) HIV-positive (<3 years HAART), and 3) HIV-positive (>3 years HAART).
Results: All participants underwent comprehensive anthropometric and bio-electrical impedance analyses. No
significant differences were observed in the male treatment groups. HAART-naïve females are mostly overweight
(73.90 ± 2.79). This is followed by a period of muscle wasting seen in the triceps skinfold (29.30 ± 2.19 vs 20.63 ± 1.83;
p < 0.01), muscle mass (22.23 ± 0.46 vs 19.82 ± 0.54; p < 0.01), and fat free mass (49.40 ± 1.08 vs 44.16 ± 1.21; p < 0.01)
upon HAART initiation (<3 years HAART). Thereafter all parameters measured had levels similar to that seen for the
female HAART-naïve group. Females on <3 years HAART exhibited significantly decreased body cell mass (p < 0.01),
protein mass (p < 0.01), muscle mass (p < 0.01), fat free mass (p < 0.01), and fat mass (p < 0.001) versus matched
HAART-naïve controls. The W:H ratio for the female treatment groups placed the females overall at a higher risk
for developing cardiovascular disease compared to the males.
Conclusions: This study found striking gender-based anthropometric differences in black South African HIV-positive
individuals on HAART. We also conclude from this observational study that no significant differences were found in the
different male treatment groups. All female body composition parameters initially showed lower values (<3 years
HAART). The female treatment group (>3 years HAART) displayed values similar to that seen in the HAART-naïve
group. Higher W:H ratios in females receiving longer-term HAART potentially increases their risk for the future
onset of cardio-metabolic complications.
Description
CITATION: Nell, T. A. et al. 2015. Distinct gender differences in anthropometric profiles of a peri-urban South African HIV population: A cross sectional study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 15(85):85, doi:10.1186/s12879-015-0836-9.
The original publication is available at http://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
HIV, Anthropometry, Body composition, HAART, Peri-urban
Citation
Nell, T. A. et al. 2015. Distinct gender differences in anthropometric profiles of a peri-urban South African HIV population: A cross sectional study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 15(85):85, doi:10.1186/s12879-015-0836-9.