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

Exercises that build muscle mass (slide 24)Exercises for people with HIV/AIDS do not need to be strenuous but should be ofmoderate intensity. Exercises should be done 3–5 times a week for approximately 30minutes of continuous activity, depending on the patient’s abilities. Disease stageand body composition should be considered when making exercise recommendations.Types of exercises recommended to build muscle mass include the following:• Weight-bearing exercises or progressive resistance training that build lean bodymass and hence improve body composition• Exercises such as aerobics, jogging, stair climbing, hiking, and skipping thatgenerate high force on the bone and also increase bone density and improvecirculation• Relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditationIncreased vitamin and mineral intake (slide 25)Increased nutrient and mineral intake is essential to replenish body stores as HIVinfection increases nutrient needs. Food-based approaches are recommended as afirst line of intervention because they are safer, have no undesirable side effects,and in most cases are affordable. Such strategies include recommending vitamin- ormineral-enriched products such as fortified breakfast cereals, beverages, and maize,millet, rice, or wheat flour. This fortification can also be done at home using“micronutrient sprinkles.” Issues of food security (discussed in the next session) maybe key factors for people relying on food-based approaches.The other option is the use of nutrient supplements, particularly antioxidantvitamins and minerals. If used well, supplements can improve immune function andother HIV-related outcomes, especially in nutritionally vulnerable populations.Multivitamin and multimineral supplements are better than single vitamin or mineralsupplements because they ensure meeting the varied nutrition requirements. HIVcauses changes in the cells and intestines, and many minerals and vitamins are notabsorbed as well as they used to be .54