Dietary Habits and Their Association with Metabolic Abnormalities in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Related Lipodystrophy

Relatively little is known about the influence of dietary habits on the metabolic complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and lipodystrophy. Although recommendations to modify diet and exercise remain a first-line approach to the management of HIV-infected patients with dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance, it is important to determine to what extent, if any, these metabolic abnormalities may be attributed to or modified by dietary behaviors. I review previous work evaluating dietary behaviors and their relationship to lipid levels and insulin resistance in HIV-infected patients with and without lipodystrophy and discuss the implications of possible dietary interventions and results of preliminary studies of the effects of diet on dyslipidemia. Sound dietary guidelines based on investigational research among HIV-infected patients are clearly needed to help face the challenges of the emerging problems of hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and the possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with HIV infection and lipodystrophy.