About this Research Topic
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the main cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV has a deleterious impact on the body’s natural defenses against infection and disease. Despite a growing understanding of HIV, the rate of death and other diseases caused by HIV/AIDS in developing nations remain unacceptably high. The viral infection amounts to a global public health emergency and it is most predominant in areas where undernutrition exists. Millions of people remain chronically malnourished globally and populations already endangered by food and nutrition insecurity and/or diet low in both quality and quantity are most hit by HIV epidemics. Adequate nutrition both in quantity and quality plays a critical role in the prevalence of HIV, however, it has been overlooked.
Nutrition is the science of food and how an organism ingests, digests, absorbs, utilizes, and excretes food materials both in health and in disease. The advantages of adequate nutrition are invaluable. People living with HIV (PLWH) have challenges in maintaining adequate nutrition. Medical treatment is vital, however, the importance of nutrition cannot be overstated in the management of the condition. Adequate nutrition is essential for the growth, development, replacement and repair of cells and tissues, the production of energy, warmth, movement, and work, carrying out chemical processes such as digestion, metabolism, and maintenance. Nutrition counseling has been reported to be effective in the improvement of body weight and body cell mass of PLWH. Furthermore, nutrition counseling also helps reduce the effects of HIV-related symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anemia, oral thrush, loss of appetite, and fever. Thus, there is the need for the harmonization of recommended daily allowance (RDA) of each nutrient in PLWH, which shows the quantity of food nutrients that should be consumed daily. Nutrition concerns should therefore be considered in the preparation of HIV social behavior change strategies and action plans both at national and sub-national levels, that are evidence-based, with interventions that are prioritized and weighted for PLWH.
This Research Topic welcomes original research, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, policy and practice reviews, clinical trials, case reports, community case studies, data reports, and brief research articles covering, but not limited to, the following thematic areas:
• Dietary recommendations and nutritional guidelines for people living with HIV.
• Differences in body composition and nutritional needs of people living with HIV in multiple socio-economic contexts.
• Nutritional interventions in managing cardiometabolic risk factors among people living with HIV
• Nutrition assessment and education of people living with HIV.
• Diet and anti-retroviral therapy.
• Promotion of physical and mental well-being of people living with HIV.
• Promotion of social behavior change (SBC) of people living with HIV.
Nutrition is the science of food and how an organism ingests, digests, absorbs, utilizes, and excretes food materials both in health and in disease. The advantages of adequate nutrition are invaluable. People living with HIV (PLWH) have challenges in maintaining adequate nutrition. Medical treatment is vital, however, the importance of nutrition cannot be overstated in the management of the condition. Adequate nutrition is essential for the growth, development, replacement and repair of cells and tissues, the production of energy, warmth, movement, and work, carrying out chemical processes such as digestion, metabolism, and maintenance. Nutrition counseling has been reported to be effective in the improvement of body weight and body cell mass of PLWH. Furthermore, nutrition counseling also helps reduce the effects of HIV-related symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anemia, oral thrush, loss of appetite, and fever. Thus, there is the need for the harmonization of recommended daily allowance (RDA) of each nutrient in PLWH, which shows the quantity of food nutrients that should be consumed daily. Nutrition concerns should therefore be considered in the preparation of HIV social behavior change strategies and action plans both at national and sub-national levels, that are evidence-based, with interventions that are prioritized and weighted for PLWH.
This Research Topic welcomes original research, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, policy and practice reviews, clinical trials, case reports, community case studies, data reports, and brief research articles covering, but not limited to, the following thematic areas:
• Dietary recommendations and nutritional guidelines for people living with HIV.
• Differences in body composition and nutritional needs of people living with HIV in multiple socio-economic contexts.
• Nutritional interventions in managing cardiometabolic risk factors among people living with HIV
• Nutrition assessment and education of people living with HIV.
• Diet and anti-retroviral therapy.
• Promotion of physical and mental well-being of people living with HIV.
• Promotion of social behavior change (SBC) of people living with HIV.
Keywords: People Living with HIV, Adequate Nutrition, Recommended Daily Allowance, Assessment, Diet, Anti-Retroviral Therapy
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