article · BMC Nutrition
An assessment of 272 people living with HIV in the Mbouda Health District of West Cameroon reveals significant variations in nutritional status and dietary habits. Nearly half of the participants had a normal weight, whilst over 48 percent were either overweight or obese, and less than 4 percent were undernourished, demonstrating a double burden of malnutrition. More than half of the individuals had never consulted a nutritionist, though roughly half ate three times a day and most consumed both plant and animal proteins. Statistical analyses showed that nutritional status was significantly linked to monthly income, religion, the disruption of daily activities by HIV, the frequency of dietary consultations, and the consumption of proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Furthermore, regular physical activity was found to benefit quality of life.
People living with HIV face multifaceted health challenges that extend beyond medication alone. While undernutrition has traditionally been the primary nutritional concern, these findings reveal a high prevalence of overweight and obesity paired with low access to dietary guidance. Recognising how economic factors, eating habits, and exercise shape health helps healthcare providers develop more tailored, comprehensive support programmes that address the double burden of malnutrition.
This research provides observational baseline data at an early stage rather than an applied commercial product. The findings could inform public health agencies, clinical care centres, and digital health developers seeking to design targeted nutritional counselling services or dietary management programmes for people living with HIV. However, the abstract does not indicate an immediate commercialisation pathway or proprietary technology readiness level.
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HIV/AIDS pandemic remains a global crisis, particularly in Africa, with major consequences for public health and the economy. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and dietary profile of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Mbouda Health District with the objective of contributing to the improvement of their nutritional care. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted among 272 PLHIV over a two-month period (May to June 2025). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, economic, clinical, and dietary characteristics. Anthropometric measurements were taken using a weighing scale and a stadiometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and the Chi-square test was applied at a 5% significance level. Results showed that 48.2, 33.5, 14.7, and 3.7% of participants were respectively of normal weight, overweight, obese, and undernourished. Results also showed that the majority of participants had never consulted a nutritionist (54.4%), and 49.6% reported eating three times a day. In addition, 59.9% use mixed protein sources (animal and plant proteins) while 60.3% reported consuming fruits and vegetables two to three times a week. 71% of participants said they engaged in physical activity. Statistical analysis revealed several factors significantly associated with nutritional status, including monthly income ( p = 0.045), the impact of HIV on daily activities ( p = 0.024), religion ( p = 0.007), frequency of dietary consultations ( p = 0.002), consumption of protein-rich foods ( p = 0.047), and consumption of fruits and vegetables ( p = 0.005). Moreover, regular physical activity ( p = 0.005) was found to be beneficial for quality of life. In conclusion, certain socioeconomic factors and dietary habits influence the nutritional status of PLHIV in the Mbouda Health District, where there is evidence of the double burden of malnutrition.
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DOI: 10.1186/s40795-026-01466-2
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