Evaluating an Exercise Program to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children Infected With HIV

People infected with HIV are now living longer and healthier lives than HIV-infected people of previous generations because of the widespread use of HAART medications. However, as HIV infection becomes a more chronic illness, rather than a fatal disease, researchers are beginning to identify the long-term complications of HIV infection and its treatment. Adults infected with HIV are increasingly developing the following: hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia, both of which are associated with high cholesterol levels; endothelial dysfunction; insulin resistance; and changes in body composition, including increased obesity levels and an increase in central body fat. These conditions are all associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. More research is needed to examine how children infected with HIV who are receiving HAART may be affected by these conditions. In this study, researchers will examine children infected with HIV who are receiving HAART (as well as a control group of children who are not infected with HIV) to evaluate vascular function and inflammation over time and how they affect body composition, fat redistribution, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, growth, nutrition, bone metabolism, and disease severity. This study will also evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program on vascular function and cardiovascular outcomes in children infected with HIV who are receiving HAART.

There are two parts to this study. In Part 1, children infected with HIV and their siblings and friends who are not infected with HIV will attend study visits every 6 months for 3 years. At select visits, the following study procedures will occur: medical history review; physical exam; blood collection; body measurements; questionnaires regarding diet, quality of life, and activity levels; and an echocardiogram to obtain images of the heart.

In Part 2 of the study, a portion of participants from Part 1 of the study who are infected with HIV will be randomly assigned to take part in a 12-week exercise program or a control group. At a baseline study visit, all participants will undergo a medical history review, fitness testing, body measurements, muscle and fat measurements, blood collection, echocardiogram, questionnaires to assess quality of life and activity levels, and an ultrasound of the brachial artery (on the upper arm) and carotid artery (on the neck) to measure artery size.

Participants in the exercise program will exercise (e.g., walking, running, cycling, stretching, and weight training) for 1 hour at the study exercise laboratory 2 days a week for 12 weeks. If participants cannot come to the laboratory, they may exercise at home, under the guidance of study researchers. Participants will wear a pedometer on select days and keep an activity log to record how far they walk. At the end of the 12-week program, participants will undergo repeat baseline testing. They will also receive a written, personalized exercise program that they can follow on their own. Participants will receive weekly phone calls from study researchers and will attend study visits once a month for 3 months for follow-up and monitoring. Baseline testing will occur again at the end of the 3-month follow-up period.

Participants in the control group will attend group sessions once a week for 12 weeks at which time they will watch videos, including some exercise videos, and play games that do not require physical activity. At the end of Week 12, participants will undergo repeat baseline testing. They will then have the option of taking part in the exercise program.