Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the present investigation is to assess the prevalence of obesity in people diagnosed as having a mental illness
and to investigate differences between disorders. This adds to the paucity of research in this particular population of people
and assists with preventative knowledge to obtain optimum physical health.
and to investigate differences between disorders. This adds to the paucity of research in this particular population of people
and assists with preventative knowledge to obtain optimum physical health.
Methods
Data were collected for all 508 male and female inpatients (new and already existing) in a public mental health service centre
in Western Australia between January and December 2008. Current weight for all patients and weight gain for some patients
were calculated to obtain a body mass index (BMI) value, and diagnostic information was aligned to one of the six major categories
of mental illness.
in Western Australia between January and December 2008. Current weight for all patients and weight gain for some patients
were calculated to obtain a body mass index (BMI) value, and diagnostic information was aligned to one of the six major categories
of mental illness.
Results
The percentage of obese inpatients (30.3 %) was much higher than that of the general population (21.4 %), with females showing
a higher propensity toward obesity than males. Most diagnostic categories had a mean BMI in the overweight range, whereas
Personality Disorders had a mean BMI in the obese range (30.07). A gradual increase in weight over a 9-month time period can
be seen in most patients who were assessed on more than one occasion.
a higher propensity toward obesity than males. Most diagnostic categories had a mean BMI in the overweight range, whereas
Personality Disorders had a mean BMI in the obese range (30.07). A gradual increase in weight over a 9-month time period can
be seen in most patients who were assessed on more than one occasion.
Conclusions
The proportion of obese people within the mental health system far exceeds that of the general population, with these people
at a much greater risk of becoming obese. The highest level of obesity was found in people with a personality disorder rather
than in people with psychosis. Further research is needed to ease out the mitigating factors behind weight gain occurring
across disorders.
at a much greater risk of becoming obese. The highest level of obesity was found in people with a personality disorder rather
than in people with psychosis. Further research is needed to ease out the mitigating factors behind weight gain occurring
across disorders.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0546-1
- Authors
- Susanne H. Stanley, School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Community, Culture and Mental Health Unit, University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, W Block, L6, 1 Alma Street, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
- Jonathan D. E. Laugharne, School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Community, Culture and Mental Health Unit, University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, W Block, L6, 1 Alma Street, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
- Stephen Addis, Fremantle Mental Health Service, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA, Australia
- Diane Sherwood, Fremantle Mental Health Service, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA, Australia
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954