Reducing risk of Type 2 diabetes in HIV: a mixed-methods investigation of the STOP-Diabetes diet and physical...

To conduct a mixed-methods feasibility study of the effectiveness and acceptability of an individualized diet and physical activity intervention designed to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes experienced by people living with HIV.

Participants with impaired fasting glucose and HIV were invited to take part in a 6-month diet and physical activity intervention. Individualized advice to achieve 10 lifestyle goals was delivered monthly. Diabetes risk was assessed pre- and post-intervention by measurement of the glucose and insulin response to a 3-h meal tolerance test. Six-month change was analysed using paired t-tests. Research interviews exploring the acceptability of the intervention and factors influencing behaviour change were conducted with those who participated in the intervention, and those who declined participation.

The intervention (n=28) significantly reduced the following: glucose and insulin, both fasting and postprandial incremental area under the curve (glucose 7.9% and 17.6%; insulin 22.7% and 31.4%, respectively); weight (4.6%); waist circumference (6.2%); systolic blood pressure (7.4%); and triglycerides (36.7%). Interview data demonstrated the acceptability of the intervention. However, participants expressed concern that deliberate weight loss might lead to disclosure of HIV status or association with AIDS-related illness. The belief that antiretroviral medications drove diabetes risk was associated with declining study participation or achieving fewer goals.

We have demonstrated the beneficial effects of a lifestyle intervention in mitigating the increased risk of Type 2 diabetes associated with HIV. Future interventions should be designed to further reduce the unique barriers that prevent successful outcomes in this cohort.