Dietary intake, serum lipids, insulin resistance and body composition in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy 'Diet FRS Study'

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate (i) differences in dietary fat and energy intake between those reporting and those not reporting fat redistribution syndrome (FRS), and (ii) the relationship between dietary fat, total energy intake, serum biochemistry and the clinical characteristics of the syndrome.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Outpatient service of a tertiary referral hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Patients and methods: Dietary intake, serum lipids and insulin resistance and body composition (fat-free mass, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio; WHR) were determined in 100 HIV-positive patients whose FRS status was classified on the basis of self-report of body composition changes, verified by clinical examination.

Results: There was no significant difference in total or saturated dietary fat intake when grouped by FRS status. There was no significant correlation between dietary saturated or total fat intake and the serum or body composition parameters measured. Total energy intake was higher in those patients reporting FRS (14575 versus 12283 kJ, P = 0.037) after adjustment for age, smoking and exercise status.

Conclusion: There appears to be no relationship between either dietary saturated or total fat intake and the serum or body composition parameters characteristic of FRS; however, the total energy intake was significantly higher in those with FRS. The nature of the relationship between total energy intake and FRS (cause or effect) warrants further investigation.