[Diet survey and evaluation of ingested nutrients in a group of HIV patients].

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between nutritional status, immunological condition, clinical progress and food consumption in a group of patients infected with HIV.

METHOD: Longitudinal descriptive study of 30 HIV/AIDS patients. Anthropometric assessment (weight, height, skin folds, upper arm circumference). The intake of nutrients was calculated using a one-week dietary record.

RESULTS

The mean amount of energy intake is 2,791 kcal with a 13.48% of protein, 40.12% of carbohydrates and 45.89% of lipids. The group of patients with weight loss presented a significantly greater proportion of proteins than group with normal weight. Patients with Kwashiorkor-like malnutrition presented an intake of proteins which was significantly lower than the group of well-nourished patients. The group of those whose nutritional status improved presented a significantly higher mean percentage of proteins in the diet than the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of the energy intake by patients is higher than that recommended. The diets show an excessive consumption of fats and a shortage of carbohydrates and proteins. Deficits are observed in vitamin B6 and vitamin E, magnesium and zinc. The increase in intake, by itself, does not improve the health status of the patients, indicating the need to provide them with the necessary dietary supplements from the early stages of their condition.