Effects of a High Protein Food Supplement on Physical Activity, Motor Performance and Health Related Quality of Life of HIV Infected Botswana Children on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).

Leapetswe Malete,Lucky Mokgatlhe,Jerry Makhanda,Lorraine Weatherspoon,Fujun Wen,Philemon Lyoka,Gabriel Anabwani,Jose Jackson,Maria Nnyepi,Ibou Thior,Maurice Bennink

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2017.3.258

Abstract

ObjectiveDespite existing evidence about the benefits of nutrition, physical activity (PA) and sport to the overall health and wellbeing of children, knowledge gaps remain on this relationship in children living with chronic conditions like HIV/AIDS. Such knowledge should inform context specific programs that could enhance the quality of life of children. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of integrating a nutrition intervention (culturally tailored food supplement) into antiretroviral therapy (ART) on psychosocial outcomes and physical activity among HIV-positive children in Botswana.Method201 HIV-positive children (6–15 years; M = 9.44, SD = 2.40) were recruited and randomly assigned (stratified by age and gender) to two groups. The intervention group (n = 97) received a high protein (bean-sorghum plus micronutrients) food supplement, while the control group (n = 104) received a sorghum plus micronutrients supplement. Participants were followed over 12 months. Anthropometric measures, PA, motor performance, and health related quality of life (HRQL) were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months.ResultsMixed repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect of the food supplement on target variables except body fat percentage, speed, and school functioning. Time × treatment interaction was found for physical functioning, psychosocial functioning and total quality of life score. Scores on physical functioning and total of quality life in the intervention group significantly increased from baseline to 6 months compared with the control group (p = 0.015).ConclusionA combination of ART and nutritional intervention had a positive effect on physical functioning and total quality of life of HIV-positive children in this study. There were also improvements to physical activity and motor performance tests over time. More research is needed on long term effects of nutrition and PA interventions on HRQL in children living with HIV.

Highlights

Evidence-based interventions aimed at the management, care as well as reductions in the spread of the HIV virus and its impact on communities have paid huge dividends
44% (n = 43) of the participants in the intervention group were female while the control group was 43% (n = 45) female
Our study sought to establish if integrating nutrition intervention into antiretroviral treatment (ART) had an impact on physical activity, motor performance and health related quality of life among HIV-positive children in Botswana

Summary

Introduction

Evidence-based interventions aimed at the management, care as well as reductions in the spread of the HIV virus and its impact on communities have paid huge dividends Key to these interventions is the effort to increase the national coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all infected individuals. Over the 5-year period, the global ART coverage reached 46% but for East and Southern Africa it increased from 24% to 54% This is significant to the socio-economic development of these regions and the wellbeing of their predominantly youthful populations. This global health success story has, ushered in new challenges, mostly health related quality of life (HRQL) of people on ART

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Discussion

Conclusion