Nutrition and HIV
1 February 2011. Related: Book and film reviews.
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
This comprehensive publication, edited by Vivian Pribram, Senior HIV Specialist Dietician at Kings College NHS Trust, London, includes contributions from over 40 specialists based in the UK from a broad spectrum of fields. It looks at the research supporting the role of nutrition primarily in the context of patients in Western countries in the post-HAART era.
The importance of nutritional assessment is emphasised at key stages of the care pathway, from diagnosis through chronic infection and palliative care.
Importantly it looks at complications of HAART including lipoatrophy and lipohypertrophy including the perspective of monitoring, exercise and diet. Common co-morbidites and age-associated health concerns covered in detail include cardiovascular health, bone health, mental health, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, renal and hepatic disease and cancer.
Although the geographical focus is on the UK, information of international relevance is included.
The book is divided into six main sections:
- Introduction on nutritional care in HIV
- Paediatric nutrition, maternal and child health
- Nutritional management of HIV disease
- Healthy eating and the promotion of well-being and a long life
- The nutritional management of HIV and related co-morbidities
- Nutritional needs at end of life and during palliative care
While nutritional status is often overlooked in routine management, this book will help healthcare workers focus on the importance of this aspect of care, and encourage referrals to appropriate specialists who can help HIV-positive people plan for a healthy life, whether they are currently healthy or dealing with more complicated health issues.
Nutrition and HIV Edited by Vivian Pribram, 528 pages, Wiley-Blackwell, October 2010; ISBN: 1405182709; price £39.99.