Given the paucity of literature on the topic of HIV-1-associated obesity, in comparison to the extensive literature on wasting, one might view our prevalence estimate as an artifact, originating from an experimental design in which patients free of acute illness were recruited from ambulatory settings. Yet, before dismissing the finding as an oddity with limited generalizability, one should recognize that the majority of patients now living with HIV/AIDS in the United States could be similarly described. In addition, there may be factors beyond those examined that will increase the prevalence beyond 30.1%. Unfortunately, the sample size of 159 patients simply does not provide adequate power for assessing these additional factors. Among the candidates relevant to impatience, impulsivity, or obesity and therefore worthy of future study are gender (Amorosa et al., 2005), age (Baum, 2007), medication use, and Bipolar (Garcia-Portilla et al., 2007; McIntyre et al., 2006; Wildes, Marcus, & Fagiolini, 2006), Anxiety (Kasen, Cohen, Chen, & Must, 2007; Scott, McGee, Wells, & Oakley Browne, 2008), or Borderline Personality (Frankenburg & Zanarini, 2006; Sansone, Sansone, & Morris, 1996) Disorders.
