Associations among body composition, androgen levels, and human immunodeficiency virus status in adolescents

To investigate whether factors influencing body composition may be unique for male and female adolescents with horizontal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

HIV infected and uninfected youth (aged 13-18 years) participating in the multi-center project REACH (Reaching for Excellence on Adolescent Health Care) had at baseline anthropomorphic measurements including height, weight, bicep, tricep, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold measurements and midarm circumference. Body mass index, muscle mass, fat free body mass, and fat mass were calculated and predictors of these measures were assessed using multiple variable linear regression. Predictors included contraception, HIV status and related variables (CD4 counts, treatment status, and viral load), substance use, androgen levels as well as appetite changes, and bone age.

In multiple variable linear regression analysis, female adolescents' body composition was associated with HIV status, CD4 + T cell counts, and free testosterone levels. HIV status was found associated with higher fat and lean body mass, however lower CD4+T cell counts were associated with lower fat and lean body mass. Higher testosterone levels were associated with higher lean and fat mass. For adolescent males, higher total testosterone levels but not free testosterone levels were associated with lower lean and fat mass.

HIV status was not associated with a lower muscle or fat mass. Different factors influenced body composition for females than males. Higher testosterone levels may be protective against loss in lean and fat mass in females.