Body Composition Testing

HIV and the medications used to treat the virus affect the body in many ways. As people live longer, we are beginning to see some of the effects of long-term HIV medication use. The problem of lipodystrophy, the loss of fat from the arms and legs and subsequent gain in the abdomen and back of the neck has significantly impacted the body image of many HIV-infected people. Wasting syndrome, the excessive weight loss seen in advanced cases of HIV, is not only a threat to physical health but to body image and emotional health as well. In order to manage these two problems, their progress must be closely monitored. This can be done using Body Composition Testing. Let's look at what types of testing are used to monitor these problems and how these results can be beneficial to the patient.

What is Lipodystrophy?

What is Body Composition?

The human body is made of water, fat, proteins, sugars, and various vitamins and minerals. Maintaining these substances in the proper ratios is essential for a healthy life. One component of particular importance is body fat. Too much fat places you at risk for diseases such diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Too little fat can indicate a serious health problem that needs to be addressed. Body composition testing can be used to monitor lipodystrophy and wasting. Two such tests are Body Mass Index (BMI) and Anthropometry.

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body mass index (BMI) is an indirect measurement of body composition. Specifically, BMI is a measure of comparison between your body's fat composition and that of established standards seen in the average healthy person. By knowing how your amount of body fat compares to the average healthy person, doctors can assess your risk for diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension. In the case of wasting syndrome, BMI allows your doctor to monitor body fat composition, providing additional information valuable in the assessment of excessive weight loss. If the BMI indicates body fat is below the established standards, the doctor can intervene in an effort to slow or reverse the loss.

Important Fact:
Under certain circumstances, BMI can be an inaccurate measurement of body fat. For instance, if a weight lifter and obese man have the same body weight and height, they will have the same BMI but their body composition will be different. Also, keep in mind that using BMI alone to diagnose wasting may result in missed diagnosis.