According to data from the PROSPER-HIV study, fewer than 10% of adults with HIV in the United States adhere to the recommended levels of physical activity and a healthy diet. Vitor Oliveira, PhD, and colleagues shared in a poster presentation at the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) 2024 Annual Meeting that adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity and a nourishing diet can lower the chances of developing other health complications and prolong the duration of well-being in adults living with HIV. Despite receiving less media coverage nowadays, it was highlighted in an interview by Oliveira, a research assistant professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics at the University of Washington, Seattle, that around 1. 2 million individuals in the United States are currently living with HIV. He mentioned that with proper treatment, these patients could achieve a life expectancy similar to that of individuals without HIV. Aging with HIV poses a significant challenge, as HIV is linked to multiple additional health conditions necessitating extra medication. Furthermore, individuals living with HIV often face unfavorable social determinants of health that impact their overall well-being and health status, according to him. Oliveira stated that the aim of the PROSPER-HIV study is to explore these behaviors in individuals living with HIV. The research observed 706 people living with HIV in four U. S. cities for three years, evaluating their physical activity, dietary habits, and physical capabilities. They also evaluated behaviors based on gender. The average age of the participants was 57 years old, with 159 being women. In general, fewer than 10% of the participants fulfilled the requirements for both diet and physical activity recommendations, with most of them being men. Almost half of the participants, specifically 47%, adhered to healthy diet standards as per the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) total score. Men generally exhibited a higher overall quality in their diet compared to women, particularly in terms of consuming more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as indicated by higher scores in the Healthy Eating Index subscales. Oliveira mentioned that the study findings were quite unexpected as the values turned out to be more negative than anticipated. People living with HIV tend to have lower physical activity levels and poorer diet quality in comparison to the general population. He mentioned that physical activity levels and diet quality are significantly poorer among women with HIV when compared to men. Oliveira highlighted to Medscape Medical News the crucial importance of enhancing lifestyle behaviors among people living with HIV, as emphasized in the study. He mentioned that the health and symptoms of patients can be significantly impacted by physical activity and diet, and therefore patients should be educated and motivated to embrace healthier choices. Moreover, an existing and consistent significant research void pertains to the incorporation of physical activity and healthy dietary interventions into regular clinical practice, he further stated.
Friday, November 29, 2024
