Obesity in women living with HIV aged 45-60 in England: An analysis of the PRIME study

Asma N Ashraf; Hajra Okhai; Caroline A Sabin; Lorraine Sherr; Katharina Haag; Rageshri Dhairyawan; Richard Gilson; Fiona Burns; Fiona Pettitt; Shema Tariq

doi:10.1111/hiv.13242

Obesity in women living with HIV aged 45-60 in England: An analysis of the PRIME study

HIV Med. 2022 Apr;23(4):371-377. doi: 10.1111/hiv.13242. Epub 2022 Feb 18.

Authors

Asma N Ashraf^{1

2}, Hajra Okhai^{1

3}, Caroline A Sabin^{1

3}, Lorraine Sherr¹, Katharina Haag¹, Rageshri Dhairyawan^{4

5}, Richard Gilson^{1

2}, Fiona Burns^{1

6}, Fiona Pettitt⁷, Shema Tariq^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.
² Mortimer Market Centre, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
³ Health Protection Research Unit in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, London, UK.
⁴ Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
⁵ Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
⁶ Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁷ Positively UK, London, London, UK.

Abstract

Objectives: Menopause contributes to weight gain in women. We explored factors associated with obesity in women with HIV aged 45-60 years.

Methods: The present study is an analysis of cross-sectional questionnaire and clinic data from the Positive Transitions Through the Menopause (PRIME) Study. We categorized body mass index (BMI) as normal/underweight (< 25 kg/m² ), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m² ) and obese (> 30 kg/m² ). We used logistic regression to explore demographic, social, lifestyle and clinical factors associated with BMI.

Results: We included 396 women in this analysis. Median age was 49 years [interquartile range (IQR): 47-52]. Most (83.6%) were not UK-born; the majority (69.4%) were black African (BA). Median (IQR) BMI was 28.6 (24.6-32.6) kg/m² ; and 110 (27.8%), 127 (32.1%) and 159 (40.1%) of the women were normal/underweight, overweight and obese, respectively. Median (IQR) BMI did not differ in pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women (p = 0.90). In univariable analysis, being non-UK-born was associated with BMI > 30 kg/m² [odds ratio (OR) = 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.53]. Compared with BA women, women of other black ethnicities were more likely to be obese (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.02-5.50) whereas white British women were less likely to be obese (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17-0.68). Current smoking and increasing number of comorbid conditions were associated with increased BMI. We found no association between obesity and socioeconomic status. On multivariable analysis, only ethnicity remained associated with obesity (compared with BA: white British, OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17-0.68; other black, OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.07-5.82).

Conclusions: Nearly two-fifths of women had BMI > 30 kg/m² . Obesity was associated with black ethnicities but not with menopausal status. The combination of obesity and HIV may place women at increased risk of co-morbidities, requiring tailored and culturally appropriate interventions.

Keywords: HIV; menopause; obesity; women.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
England / epidemiology
Female
HIV Infections* / complications
HIV Infections* / epidemiology
Humans
Middle Aged
Obesity / complications
Obesity / epidemiology
Overweight / epidemiology
Risk Factors

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding