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Education program promotes weight loss among patients with schizophrenia
Patients who are being treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs lost an average of 6 lbs. during a 12-week education program.
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Programs that encourage education about nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices may help patients who are being treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder lose weight and reduce body mass index (BMI).
A new study by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey examined an educational program for such patients. The researchers, led by Betty Vreeland, MSN, found that patients who participated in the program had better results managing their weight.
These results are especially important for people who are being treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs because these patients often have particular trouble maintaining their normal weight. “We have understood for many years that those with severe and persistent mental illness tend to struggle with managing a healthy lifestyle,” said Vreeland. “They are at a greater-than-average risk of weight gain and obesity due to the combination of inactive, unhealthy lifestyles and treatment weight with the various psychotropic medications, the combination of which are associated with weight gain. This study shows that a more complete treatment approach, one which addresses both primary mental illness symptoms and physical health helps move patients’ lives forward.”
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The program
The study examined 31 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who participated in a 12-week weight control program. The program incorporated nutrition, exercise and behavioral interventions. Vreeland said that all changes in the patients’ weight or BMI were recorded and compared with 15 other patients who served as a control group.
All 31 patients had been taking atypical antipsychotic drugs such as clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone or quetiapine for at least three months prior to the beginning of the study. All 31 of these patients were overweight or obese, had a BMI of at least 26 or had gained at least 5 lbs. within two months after beginning their medication regimen.
Vreeland and her colleagues found that the patients who participated in the education program had significant reductions in weight and BMI. Vreeland said that after 12 weeks, patients in the education group lost an average of 6 lbs. There was also an average reduction of 0.98 BMI points during this time.
In comparison, patients in the control group – who did not participate in the education program – gained an average of 6.4 lbs. during the 12-week trial. These patients also had an average BMI increase of 1.2 BMI points.
Vreeland reported that the researchers then continued to follow the 31 patients for a year and that the patients in the education program also showed an improvement in physiologic measures such as blood pressure and hemoglobin A1C.
“[Our] data suggest that the intervention was effective in this group of patients,” Vreeland said. “Professionals treating patients who are taking atypical antipsychotics should encourage them to engage in weight control activities.” – by Jay Lewis
For more information:
- Vreeland B, et al. A program for managing weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotics. Psychiatr Serv. 2003;54:1155-1157.
- Menza M, Vreeland B, Minsky S, Sakowitz M, Rigassio Radler D, Stern R. Managing Atypical Antipsychotic-Associated Weight Gain: The Healthy Living Program 12-Month Results. American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting. May 17-22, 2003. San Francisco.