A Diet and Fitness Program Similarly Affects Weight Reduction in Schizophrenia Patients Treated with Typical or...

Schizophrenia patients, receiving new generation antipsychotics, many times suffer from obesity sometimes leading to metabolic syndrome. Diet and fitness programs which reduce weight should be combined in the treatment plan of these patients. This study evaluated patients' adherence and the effect of a diet and fitness program in schizophrenia patients treated with typical vs. atypical antipsychotics.

106 stabilized schizophrenia patients participated in a 9-months diet and fitness program, receiving their own menu and a personal workout plan.

60 patients (57%), 27.8±4.8y age, participated in the program for at least one month, i. e., adherent participants, with 4.0±2 months participation average. Months of participation were correlated with weight loss (r=-0.417; p=0.002). Throughout the study patients lost 3.34±1.2 kg in average: 85.95±14.66 at baseline and 82.61±13.78 at the end of program (t=4.969; p<0.001). No association was found between specific types or dose of medication and weight loss (F=0.437, p=0.85).

Patients with schizophrenia are capable of adhering to a diet and fitness program and successfully lose weight, regardless to taking typical or atypical medications.