Nutritional Educational Intervention in Users With Psychiatric Disorders Living in Supported Housing: A Pilot Study

The pilot data analysis assessed the weight and eating habits of users in Supported Housing (SH) across six Rome districts, verifying the feasibility of a nutritional education intervention.

The study team conducted a quantitative, quasi-experimental study. The cohort consisted of 92 users living in 57 houses, categorized by age, sex, and diagnosis. The intervention carried out between October 2021 and January 2022 consisted of 2 phases, an educational session on the food pyramid and national dietary guidelines for staff assisting users and an education intervention to promote healthier lifestyle choices to the users.

Results reported an average BMI of 28 kg/m² (SD = ±5.74) categorizing users as belonging in average to the overweight BMI class. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet based on the Del Balzo and Savastano1 questionnaire was overall scarce (90.1%). The educational intervention positively impacted 90.3% of users who demonstrated an increase in consumption of fruit and vegetables and a decrease in consumption of fried food and soft drinks. A weight decrease was experienced by 43.4% (13/30) of the cohort. Average weight loss, in the group who lost weight, was 7.6kg (SD = ±6.93).

The study suggests the feasibility and potential impact of public health initiatives addressing obesity in the population with psychiatric disorders.