According to a recent study published in the journal AIDS, body mass index (BMI) may be an insufficiently accurate measure for assessing cardiovascular disease risk in people living with HIV. This is because BMI does not take into account fat distribution in the body, particularly the accumulation of visceral fat, which poses a greater threat to heart health.
Researchers found that people with HIV often experience abnormal fat accumulation in the abdominal area, even when their BMI falls within the normal range. This can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease that is not reflected by standard BMI indicators.
Instead of BMI, scientists recommend using waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio measurements for more accurate risk assessment. These methods better reflect fat distribution in the body and may provide more informative data for individuals living with HIV.
These findings highlight the importance of a personalized approach to evaluating cardiovascular risk in people with HIV, and the need to consider the specific characteristics of their bodies when planning treatment and preventive care.