Prevalence and Risk Factors of Generalized and Abdominal Obesity among People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Care ART Centre, Bangalore, India

Background: The proportion of obesity is increasing among PLHIV worldwide. As Indians are genetically prone for obesity and its complications. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of generalised and abdominal obesity and assess its risk factors among PLHIV on ART. Methods: This Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at an ART Centre, tertiary care hospital from February to April 2023. 496 study subjects were recruited. Data was collected using pre-tested standardized, semi-structured questionnaire. Results were expressed in both descriptive and inferential statistics using Stata 14. Results: Among 496 subjects, majority 51.5% were females. More number of subjects, 45.3% were in the age group of 40-50 years and 71.4% were married. Greater number of study subjects belonged to upper socioeconomic class, i.e. 68.3%. The burden of generalized & abdominal obesity was 64.5% & 75.4% respectively. Significant association of generalized obesity was observed with CD4 count. Significant association of abdominal obesity was observed with sex, marital status and CD4 count. Conclusions: More than two third of the PLHIV had abdominal obesity and more than three fifth had generalized obesity. High CD4 count was the risk factor for generalized obesity and female sex, being married and high CD4 count were risk factors for abdominal obesity among PLHIV.