Depression and Dietary Intake in HIV Patients

-

Previous studies have demonstrated that depression can have a number of negative effects on dietary intake, ranging from skipping meals, lacking motivation to eat, selecting poor food choices, and others.  It has also been shown that depression is a common problem in HIV patients, with prevalence estimates of up to 37% of HIV patients affected.  With this in mind, researchers from Australia sought to determine how depression affects dietary intake in patients suffering from HIV, and their findings were published in the International Journal of STD & AIDS.  The study sample was composed of 58 HIV patients and was split into a depressed group (n=21) and a non-depressed group (n=37).  Dietary intake was evaluated through a diet history, food frequency questionnaire, and 24-hour recall conducted by a dietitian, and depression level was measured using a depression scale.  As far as macronutrient intake is concerned, the depressed patients consumed a significantly lower amount of fiber than the non-depressed patients, but there weren’t any other significant differences for any of the other macronutrients between the two groups.  In addition, vitamin A, magnesium, and folate intakes were significantly less in patients who were depressed than in those who were not.  Overall, the researchers concluded that there are significant differences in the diet quality of depressed HIV patients with that of non-depressed HIV patients and that this is a topic meriting further study.  Poor nutritional status can impair the immune system, which is already weakened due to the HIV disease state, further increasing the likelihood of disease-associated morbidity and mortality.  For this reason, understanding the impact that depression has on the dietary intake of HIV patients can help nutrition and medical professionals to better treat this unique subset of patients.    

Ashley    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more