Why do people living with HIV/AIDS lose weight and muscle?
People with HIV/AIDS often lose weight because they burn too many calories, because they do not eat enough food or both. Medications and their side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, can lead to loss of appetite and reduced food intake. Simply eating more food may not be enough to help you gain weight and muscle. HIV causes changes in metabolism — the way the body uses food for energy. These changes in metabolism can make the body burn more calories than normal and break down muscle and fat.
