Objective: Evaluate the baseline nutrient intake of an HIV positive population that includes significant representation from women and minorities, and determine the relationship between state of disease and nutritional intake.
Design: Baseline data from a prospective study (Nutrition for Healthy Living).
Subjects: Individuals with HIV in the Boston and Rhode Island area (n = 516); 25% were women and 30% were minorities.
Methods: Nutrient intakes from 3-day food records, which included vitamin/mineral supplements, were estimated by gender and nonwhite vs white categories, after grouping by CD4 lymphocyte counts.
Statistical analyses: Spearman correlation coefficients, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, chi2 test, and restricted cubic spline model were used for data analyses as indicated.
Results: Macronutrient but not micronutrient intake was statistically and inversely associated with decreasing CD4 cell counts. The median intake of micronutrients was higher in the study sample compared with the same age and gender group in NHANES III data; however, 25% to 35% of the women in our study sample had dietary intakes of less than 75% of the DRIs for vitamins A, C, E and B-6, and iron and zinc. White men had statistically higher values of all micronutrients compared with nonwhite men. Body mass index for men and women ranged from 23 to 25.
Conclusions/applications: Median values for micronutrient intake from food plus vitamin/mineral supplements were adequate in the overall population studied, but a large percent of women and minorities had inadequate nutrient intakes and would benefit from dietary assessment and counseling.