Diet, diabetes and schizophrenia: review and hypothesis

Diabetes is more common in people with schizophrenia than in the general population.

To explore the possible reasons for the association between diabetes and schizophrenia.

Diet and other lifestyle factors in patients with schizophrenia were reviewed as risk factors for diabetes.

People with schizophrenia show features of the metabolic syndrome at the onset of illness, before treatment. They also eat a poor diet, take little exercise and have high rates of smoking. Food intake may be increased further by antipsychotic medication. Nutritional factors appear to have a key role in the development of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia and may also affect the outcome and severity of schizophrenia. A common pathway through which diet might contribute to the development of both diabetes and schizophrenia is proposed.

Lifestyle factors may influence outcomes in both diabetes and schizophrenia. Lifestyle interventions are the key to improving the long-term health of people with schizophrenia.