What is Unintended Weight Loss (UWL)?

Unintended weight loss (UWL) is a decrease in body weight that is not voluntary. It can be caused by endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurological, psychiatric, and eating disorders, as well as nutrition deficiencies, infections, and tumors.²⁷

For people with HIV/AIDS, it’s important to recognize UWL early, because it may lead to “wasting.” Wasting is defined as the loss of 7.5% of body weight in a period of 6 months.²¹ This problem must be addressed, because it can be a sign of progression of disease. All HIV-positive people, including those taking the different types of antiretroviral therapies and other medications, can be susceptible to wasting.²⁸

It’s not always easy to recognize even severe UWL in a person with HIV/AIDS, because appearance is not always a reliable indication. For people experiencing body shape changes due to fat redistribution (lipodystrophy), the signs of wasting may not be obvious.²⁸

Whatever the cause, people suffering from UWL may eventually not get enough calories and nutrients to stay healthy. Without enough nutrition, the immune system gets weak and has trouble fighting off infection. Continuation of unintended weight loss can lead to serious medical problems, as well as depression.⁸

If you are losing weight without trying, you should speak to your healthcare provider. If you are unsure if you should speak with your healthcare provider about UWL, take the self-assessment below to find out.

Self Assessment¹⁶

If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions, talk to your healthcare provider and find out if Megace ES is right for you.


YES	NO	Have you lost interest in eating?

YES	NO	Do you feel more tired than usual after exercise or physical activity? Are you too tired to complete daily tasks?

YES	NO	Does your face or body look different than it used to?

YES	NO	Have you lost 7.5% or more of your body weight over 6 months?²¹
Enter weight 6 months ago: Enter current weight: (YES or NO will be automatically selected when weights are entered)

YES	NO	Have you lost 10% or more of your body weight over 12 months?²¹
Enter weight one year ago: Enter current weight: (YES or NO will be automatically selected when weights are entered)

If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you could be suffering from unintended weight loss or loss of appetite that can lead to UWL.

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