'Hunger and health' at the heart of HIV/AIDS pandemic

A fundamental connection between hunger and health lies at the centre of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, a new report has claimed.

The study, published by the United Nation's World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted the impact that malnourishment can have on the effectiveness of anti-retroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS.

At the same time, the lack of specific nutrients can compromise the immune systems of those suffering from the illness, making them more likely to succumb to illness.

Speaking at the launch of the report in Rome, the UN secretary-general's special envoy for AIDS in Africa, Elizabeth Mataka, said: "Food is often cited by people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS as their greatest and most important need."

"Nutrition interventions for HIV programmes are often overlooked in the international HIV policy debate and they remain critically under-funded," she added.

According to the World Health Organization, people with HIV have special nutritional needs, with adult energy needs increasing by 20 to 30 per cent, while children's grow by 50 to 100 per cent.

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