Reducing risk of Type 2 diabetes in HIV: a mixed-methods investigation of the STOP-Diabetes diet and physical activity intervention

Physical activity and diet for Type 2 Diabetes reduction among older people living with HIV in Harare

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) are ageing, and face increased risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. Physical activity and diet are effective in reducing Type 2 Diabetes risk. However, there is variation in how older PLWH engage in physical activity and healthy eating.

Aim

To describe older PLWHs' engagement in physical activity and diet for Type 2 Diabetes risk reduction in Harare.

Setting

The study was conducted in five polyclinics in Harare urban district from low socio-economic areas.

Methods

A qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design was used. Twenty-three participants were selected purposively based on the researchers' judgement of age among PLWH. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule and analysed using Braun and Clark's six steps of thematic content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained, and each participant provided informed consent.

Results

The mean age of participants was 62 years. Participants performed varied physical activities through; economic activities, walking, exercise, and domestic chores. Diet included indigenous, unrefined grains, vegetables and fruit, influenced by rural background. Diet consisted of larger proportions of carbohydrates with lesser varying portions of protein and vegetables and fruit. Healthy eating among participants was facilitated by the proximity of markets and family.

Conclusion

Health education to reduce Type 2 Diabetes risk should focus on fostering current physical activities to meet prescribed standards and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

Contribution

The physical activity and diet self-care practices among older PLWH are inadequate in reducing Type 2 Diabetes risk, emphasising the need for appropriate health education.

Diabetes mellitus and associated factors among HIV-positive patients at primary health care facilities in Harare, Zimbabwe: a descriptive cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH) and has increased the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. Comorbid HIV and diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increase cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among HIV-positive patients receiving HAART in Zimbabwe and its associated risk factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at eight primary healthcare facilities in Harare, Zimbabwe, between January 2022 and March 2023. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to recruit adult HIV-positive patients undergoing HAART attending the facilities. Data were captured on clinical history and socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics, and analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine DM prevalence rates. Additionally, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to examine factors associated with HIV and DM comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 450 participants were included in this study, of which 57.6% (n = 259) were female. The majority were married (73.8%) and older than 35 years (80.2%). Most participants had completed high school (87.6%) and 68.9% were employed either formally or self-employed. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was 14.9%. HIV/DM comorbidity was more prevalent in patients who were female, self-employed, and smoked (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors associated with DM-HIV comorbidity were gender, age, education, marital status, employment status, smoking, physical activities, duration of HAART, and diet. Age, level of education, marital status, and occupation were not associated with HIV-DM comorbidity. Obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m2), smoking, and alcohol consumption were associated with an increased risk of DM. Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of DM.

CONCLUSION

A substantial burden of DM was found in PLWH. The intersectoral integration approach is advocated, and active screening for DM is recommended. Gender-specific interventions are necessary to target diseases and health behaviors that differ between men and women. These interventions should be customized to the specific diseases and behaviors of each group.

Effects of a smartphone app-based diet and physical activity program for men living with HIV who have dyslipidemia: A pilot randomized controlled trial

AIMS

People living with HIV are at a high risk for cardiovascular disease owing to antiretroviral therapy use and chronic inflammation. There is limited evidence on the evaluation of serum lipid levels through lifestyle modification. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a smartphone application-based diet and exercise improvement program on men living with HIV and dyslipidemia.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled trial recruiting Japanese men living with HIV who have dyslipidemia: intervention group (n = 19) and control group (n = 19). The intervention group received a third individual guidance session during the 6-month intervention and was encouraged to record their diet on a smartphone application. An intention-to-treat analysis of the results was conducted.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed significantly reduced change in low-density lipoprotein levels compared to the control group (-4.00 ± 20.2 mg/dL vs. 10.11 ± 21.1 mg/dL) (p = .042) from baseline to 6 months post-intervention. No significant differences were found in other serum lipid levels. Abdominal circumference decreased significantly in the intervention group (p = .048) from baseline to 6 months post-intervention. Total energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, and salt intake, dietary and physical activity behavior change stages and social support, dietary self-efficacy, and loneliness significantly improved in the intervention group (p < .05) from baseline to 6 months post-intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

A diet and physical activity improvement program using a smartphone application based on Japanese-specific health guidance may reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in this population. Further sample expansion and examination of long-term effects are needed.

Effectiveness of a 6-Month Nutrition Intervention in People Living with HIV and Prediabetes Progressing through Stages of Change towards Positive Health Behavior

The prevalence of prediabetes in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is two to three times higher than that of the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an intervention in guiding low-income people living with HIV (PLWH) and prediabetes through the stages of change and promote self-efficacy of positive health behavior.

METHODS

A 6- month randomized, controlled intervention was conducted where participants (N = 38) were randomized into the intervention group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 18). The participants' stages of change, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy were assessed using questionnaires. Participants were recruited in August 2017-December 2018, were HIV seropositive, had undetectable viral load, were prediabetic, and not currently receiving glucose-altering medications. Participants randomized into the intervention group received medical nutrition therapy/counseling and nutrition education; participants randomized into the control group received educational material related to nutrition, HIV, and prediabetes at baseline. Primary outcome measures were progression through the stages of change as measured by the transtheoretical ("stages of change") model, improvements in nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy of the participants.

RESULTS

Significant improvement in stage of behavioral change was observed in the intervention group for physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, fiber intake as well as nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy; however, no significant changes were observed in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

A nutrition intervention was effective in promoting positive health behavior by progressing participants through the stages of behavioral change in low-income people living with HIV and prediabetes.

Obesity and diabetes in people of African ancestry with HIV

Obesity is a chronic disease with multiple adverse effects on health. The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and people of African ancestry are disproportionally affected. Several widely used antiretrovirals have been associated with weight gain and contribute to the rising burden of obesity in people with HIV. Obesity and weight gain on antiretroviral therapy are risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition which also disproportionally affects black populations. In this review, we discuss recent data on weight gain in relation to initiating or switching antiretroviral therapy and advances in the management of obesity. Availability of highly effective treatments for obesity have the potential to address, and potentially reverse, the epidemics of obesity and diabetes mellitus in people with HIV.

A Step Closer to the "Fourth 90": A Practical Narrative Review of Diagnosis and Management of Nutritional Issues of People Living with HIV

The quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH) has remarkably increased thanks to the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy. Still, PLWH are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease. Hence, the purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about diagnosis and nutritional management with specific indication of macro and micronutrients intake for the main comorbidities of PLWH. In fact, a prompt diagnosis and management of lifestyle behaviors are fundamental steps to reach the “fourth 90”. To achieve an early diagnosis of these comorbidities, clinicians have at their disposal algorithms such as the Framingham Score to assess cardiovascular risk; transient elastography and liver biopsy to detect NAFLD and NASH; and markers such as the oral glucose tolerance test and GFR to identify glucose impairment and renal failure, respectively. Furthermore, maintenance of ideal body weight is the goal for reducing cardiovascular risk and to improve diabetes, steatosis and fibrosis; while Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets are the dietetic approaches proposed for cardioprotective effects and for glycemic control, respectively. Conversely, diet management of chronic kidney disease requires different nutritional assessment, especially regarding protein intake, according to disease stage and eventually concomitant diabetes.

Effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention and the role of sleep in people living with HIV and prediabetes: a pilot and feasibility study

Objectives

Prediabetes is prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH). Insufficient and irregular sleep are linked to abnormal glucose metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the differences in sleep characteristics between PLWH with and without prediabetes, determine the acceptability/feasibility and effects of a pilot six-month intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) program on glucose metabolism in those with prediabetes, and determine how sleep modulates these effects.

Results

Thirty-nine PLWH (20 normoglycemia and 19 prediabetes) participated. There were no differences in sleep characteristics between individuals with normoglycemia and prediabetes. Next, thirteen individuals with prediabetes completed a six-month ILI program. The ILI program resulted in significant body weight reduction at 6 months (63.5 ± 13.9 to 61.9 ± 14.0 kg, p = 0.012), which was maintained at 12 months (p < 0.001). Waist circumferences were significantly decreased at 12 months (85.4 ± 11.7 to 82.9 ± 12.7 cm, p = 0.014). An increase in sleep variability was significantly associated with an increase in 2-h plasma glucose, independent of changes in BMI (b = 0.603), and physical activity (b = 0.774). This pilot study suggested that ILI in PLWH with prediabetes is feasible and effective in improving metabolic control, with its effects possibly modulated by sleep variability. These findings should be confirmed in a larger study to reduce diabetes risk in this population.

Trail registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT03545217 (date of registration: May 22, 2018)

Non-communicable Diseases in Pregnant and Postpartum Women Living with HIV: Implications for Health Throughout the Life Course

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in pregnant women living with HIV can be a harbinger of future NCD-related morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the NCDs that complicate pregnancy and the postpartum period, including hypertensive complications, hyperglycemic disorders, excessive gestational weight gain, and bone mineral density losses. For each disease process, we explore the role of HIV as a possible driver of excess risk, the immediate consequences of these complications on pregnancy outcomes and maternal and infant health, and possible implications for long-term women's health.

RECENT FINDINGS

Countries with the highest burden of HIV also shoulder a high burden of NCDs that complicate pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders, hyperglycemic disorders, weight gain, and osteopenia. This double burden of disease is a significant public health threat for reproductive-age women, with the potential for serious short- and long-term consequences for both women and their infants. Additionally, as the global first-line antiretroviral therapy regimens increasingly include integrase inhibitors, unhealthy weight gain associated with this drug class poses additional risk for NCD-related pregnancy complications and their persistence postpartum. Further research is needed to better define prevalence of NCD complications in pregnancy, elucidate HIV-specific and traditional factors associated with poor outcomes, and to develop interventions to reduce risk and avoid downstream complications in those at highest risk.

Contemporary Lifestyle Modification Interventions to Improve Metabolic Comorbidities in HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Metabolic comorbidities including diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, all of which are traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors that are highly prevalent in people with HIV (PWH). Bone disease including osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures is also prevalent in PWH. These comorbidities may be prevented and treated in part with lifestyle modification, including changes to dietary and physical habits. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent literature that characterizes current lifestyle habits in PWH as well as the effectiveness of lifestyle strategies to improve metabolic comorbidities prevalent in PWH.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have expanded our knowledge regarding the current lifestyle habits of PWH as well as the potential for lifestyle modification to prevent or improve comorbidities prevalent in PWH. Clinical trials focusing on lifestyle modification have shown some benefit of such interventions on traditional risk factors for comorbidities; however, significant heterogeneity exists between studies and results are not consistent. Further clinical trials are needed including developing lifestyle strategies that are feasible, effective, and sustainable to prevent and decrease prevalence of comorbidities in this population.

Behavioral Weight Loss: A Promising Treatment for Obesity in Adults with HIV

Obesity and chronic disease are growing problems among people living with HIV (PLWH) across the globe. While a variety of treatments have been developed to address cardiovascular and metabolic disease among PLWH, few treatments have focused on helping PLWH and obesity lose weight. In the general population, behavioral weight loss interventions (i.e., diet, physical activity, and behavior therapy) are the first-line treatment for adults for whom weight loss is recommended. However, little research has tested whether the benefits of these programs translate to PLWH. This paper highlights the key components of behavioral weight loss programs, their outcomes in the general population and in the few studies of PLWH, and suggestions for tailoring these programs for PLWH. Behavioral weight loss programs are a strong potential treatment for reducing the burden of obesity among PLWH and merit future research attention.