Correlating HIV/AIDS with Nutrition and Food Habits: Challenges & Recommendations

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is occurring mostly in populations where malnutrition is already endemic. Action and investment to improve nutrition needs to be based on sound scientific evidence, and programmatic and clinical experience with the prevention, treatment and management of HIV/AIDS and related infections. HIV/AIDS pandemic combined with drought, floods, soaring food prices, decades of conflict, economic decline and cuts in social services, have overwhelmed families in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, leaving them with few coping mechanisms. Weight loss and low micronutrient levels are associated with increased progression to AIDS in adults living with HIV. This crisis in Africa has underscored the dire nutritional needs of all children who are HIV positive or affected by HIV/AIDS, such as orphans and those living in households with infected family members. Nutrition counseling, care and support interventions for PLWHA will vary according to nutritional status and the extent of disease progression (recommendations for specific nutrient requirements are given below). Prompt diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, including use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) when indicated, can contribute to improved nutrition and health. Present paper advocates that a nutrition plan must be followed for PLWHA in India and attempts to discuss the same.