People living with HIV/AIDS: body image and its important associations with mental health and BMI

Self-Reported Lipodystrophy and Self-Perception of Body Image in Adults with HIV

“…14 A Brazilian study showed a progressive reduction in BID in most participants, identified by the current approach to the ideal image at each assessment, proving the effectiveness of the program in controlling lipodystrophy with regard to physical changes and body image satisfaction in the assessed group, thus demonstrating how it contributed to reduce the bodily stigmatization experienced by PLHIV. 15 The negative combination of morphological changes, with loss of self-esteem, can socially impact the individual with consequences associated with the infection and the stigma of the disease, and may be another unfavorable combination for this population. A survey of HIV patients who underwent hump liposuction increased the degree of satisfaction with body image, self-esteem, and adherence to ART, revealing that lipodystrophy is related to self-image, concern with social stigmatization, adherence to ART, and quality of care/life.…”

“…As for body composition, there were no significant changes after the nutritional intervention, even after stratification by gender. 14 15…”

“…As for body composition, there were no significant changes after the nutritional intervention, even after stratification by gender. 14,15 Throughout the history of the epidemic, PLHIV have experienced drastic bodily changes, evolving from severe malnutrition to bodily changes related to changes in the redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy) and, finally, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight individuals. However, there is little information available on the potential impact of the nutritional trend towards overweight/obesity and the perception of the presence of lipodystrophy and its significant effects on physical appearance, which can directly affect individuals' self-esteem and therapeutic adherence.…”

“…A Brazilian study showed a progressive reduction in BID in most participants, identified by the current approach to the ideal image at each assessment, proving the effectiveness of the program in controlling lipodystrophy with regard to physical changes and body image satisfaction in the assessed group, thus demonstrating how it contributed to reduce the bodily stigmatization experienced by PLHIV. 15…”

Body Schema Self-Awareness and Related Dream Content Modifications in Amputees Due to Cancer

“…Some people cognitively interpret information in accordance with their psychologically important body-related concerns, and, conversely, cognitive dysfunctions can lead to medical problems with a bidirectional relationship. Information processing can be dysfunctional when influenced by medical pathologies such as eating disorders and gender dysphoria [ 9 , 10 ], oncologic disease [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], HIV/AIDS [ 15 , 16 ], dermatological disturbances [ 17 ], burns [ 18 ], amputations [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], permanent scars [ 23 ] or interesting phenomena such as phantom limb [ 24 ], and telescoping [ 8 , 25 ]. Phantom limb sensations (PLS) are a well-known phenomenon [ 26 , 27 ] in which an amputee continues to experience a normally limbed body with the sensation that an amputated or missing limb is still part of the body.…”