Weight Gain and Its Correlates Among Forensic Inpatients

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychiatry
• Metabolic Health
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Weight gain and metabolic syndrome are known risks associated with antipsychotic (AP) use in general psychiatric populations.
• Limited data exists on metabolic changes in individuals within forensic psychiatric settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic syndrome indicators in male forensic inpatients.
• To determine factors contributing to weight gain during hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records for 291 male forensic inpatients.
• Data collected at admission and discharge (or 365 days later).
• Recorded diagnoses, smoking status, psychotropic treatment, adherence, physical activity, and occupation.

Main Results:

• 33% of patients were obese on admission; 22% met metabolic syndrome criteria.
• Among those hospitalized for at least 30 days, 60% were re-weighed, but other metabolic measures were infrequent.
• Forensic inpatients gained an average of 12% body weight, with 40% increasing BMI category, irrespective of AP treatment or other recorded factors.

Conclusions:

• Weight gain occurred in forensic inpatients during hospitalization, independent of medication.
• Further research with consistent metabolic syndrome indicator measurement is recommended for forensic populations.