Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

• Offer tailored treatment and management based on the assessment results• Address concerns and fears about physical health statusBody measurements are increasingly used as screening tools in clinical trails.What to assess or measure? (slide 8)The following measurements are commonly used in nutritional assessments:• Measurement of body size or proportions, known as anthropometry (e.g.,weight, height)• Laboratory tests for blood sugar, lipids, cholesterol, protein, and micronutrientstatus (e.g., serum levels, Hb, B 12 )• Clinical assessment of symptoms and illnesses associated with HIV/AIDSinfection such as oral thrush and diarrhea, often appropriate in the absence oflaboratory facilities• Review of dietary history such as appetite, food habits, and stress or depressionthat may affect eating• Lifestyle practices such as smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine, and usingdrugs that may affect food intake or utilizationAnthropometric measurements in HIV/AIDS (slide 9)The following anthropometric measurements should be conducted regularly withHIV/AIDS patients to assess and monitor body weight and composition:• Percentage change in weight or BMI (body mass index) over time to gaugewasting• Lean body mass measurement to establish the proportion of body compositionthat is muscle. Body cell mass is a comparison of weight and volume.44