As indicated earlier, nearly all participants self-reported
weight loss; paradoxically the prevalence of overweight
and obesity in this population was also higher than any other forms of malnutrition. These findings however are
contradictory to the expected trend in HIV progression
where wasting results in weight loss and underweight
as reported in some recent studies from South Africa
[6] and Kenya [7]. However, in agreement with this
study, there are studies that have also reported increased
prevalence of overweight and obesity among HIV-positive
adults, especially ART recipients [45]. Secondary analysis
of demographic health surveys of 12 countries in
sub-Sahara Africa also showed a greater proportion of overweight
in HIV-positive women [46]. At this stage, we do
not known why overweight and obesity is prevalent in
this study population. However, in areas where households
predominantly consume one staple food based diet,
high fats of poor dietary quality, overweight and obesity
described herein and micronutrient deficiency are likely to
prevail [17].