Normal weight obesity is associated with hypercholesterolemia and low muscle mass in persons living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment.

OBJECTIVES

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is defined as a condition of normal body weight, but with high body fat percentage. Clinical and immunologic implications of NWO in persons living with HIV (PLHIV) remain unknown. The aim of this study was to examine NWO prevalence and its associations with metabolic and immunologic measurements in a cohort of PLHIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART).

METHODS

We enrolled 73 adult PLHIV on ART. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. NWO was defined as body mass index 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m and body fat ≥25%. We determined triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, blood glucose, blood pressure, bone mineral density, inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6) and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation.

RESULTS

The prevalence of NWO was 49% (36 of 73). Participants with NWO showed lower CD4+ T-cell percentage (25 versus 27%, P = 0.03), lower CD4/CD8 ratio (0.62 versus 0.82, P = 0.02), lower muscle mass (6.84 versus 7.11 kg/m, P = 0.01) and higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (26% versus 6%, P = 0.03) than individuals with normal body composition. No differences in inflammation/activation markers were observed between groups (P > 0.05 in all cases).

CONCLUSION

NWO was frequent in a cohort of Mexican PLHIV on ART and was associated with lower muscle mass, hypercholesterolemia, lower CD4+ T-cell percentage, and lower CD4/CD8 ratio. The incorporation of body fat measurements in the regular physical examination of PLHIV could contribute to early identification of the NWO condition and lead to better management of possible long-term morbidity.