Effects of physical activity level on quality of life, stress, and dietary behavior in people living with HIV/AIDS: A pilot study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the daily physical activity and the relationship between the physical activity levels and psychological variables of Koreans with HIV. Twenty-two people with HIV participated in this study. The participants completed questionnaires, and we assessed the daily physical activity for 2 weeks. The daily physical activity level of most of the participants was low-intensity; high-intensity activities were only performed for approximately 1 minute. The participants had unhealthy dietary habits, such as eating 2 meals a day, eating irregularly, and skipping breakfast. Psychological well-being and environmental satisfaction were higher in the high-intensity group than in the medium- and low-intensity groups (P < .05). The overall stress level among the groups was statistically significantly different (P < .05), and the stress level was lower in the high-intensity group than in the low- and medium-intensity groups. Restraint eating was higher in the low-intensity group than in the medium- and high-intensity groups (P < .05). However, among the groups, the external eating variable was highest in the high-intensity group (P < .05). Daily physical activity during positively affects the physical and mental well-being of people living with HIV.