Ethnic Differences in Body Image Attitudes and Perceptions Among Women Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Weight loss is a notable and frequent complication of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ( (1) Nahlen B.L. Chu S.Y. Nwanyanwu O.C. Berkelman R.L. Martinez S.A. Rullan J.V. HIV wasting syndrome in the United States. AIDS. 1993; 7: 183-188 Google Scholar ). Currently, the therapies for this disorder include human growth hormone, megestrol acetate, anabolic hormones, and dronabinol ( (2) Coodley G.O. Loveless M.O. Merrill T.M. The HIV wasting syndrome a review. J Acquir Immune Def Syndr. 1994; 7: 681-694 Google Scholar ). Patients’ preferred body image certainly could influence their use of these therapies, but to our knowledge no information has been published about preferred body image among HIV-infected patients. Knowledge of HIV infection and fear of weight loss may influence patients’ preferred body image; that is, patients may be more inclined to prefer a larger size. This preference could lead to unhealthful weight gain. Conversely, patients who prefer a smaller body image may decline treatment for their weight loss and remain inappropriately thin. Because of media promotion of a slender body size, the second scenario may be particularly pertinent to women.