Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a weight loss program for individuals with schizophrenia in
usual care. The study included 146 adults with schizophrenia from two mental health clinics of the Department of Veterans
Affairs. The 109 individuals who were overweight or obese were offered a 16-week, psychosocial, weight management program.
Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were assessed at baseline, 1 year later, and at each treatment session. Only 51% of those
who were overweight or obese chose to enroll in the weight management program. Participants attended an average of 6.7 treatment
sessions, lost an average of 2.4 pounds, and had an average BMI decrease of 0.3. There was no significant change in weight
or BMI compared to the control group. Intervention strategies that both improve utilization and yield greater weight loss
need to be developed.
usual care. The study included 146 adults with schizophrenia from two mental health clinics of the Department of Veterans
Affairs. The 109 individuals who were overweight or obese were offered a 16-week, psychosocial, weight management program.
Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were assessed at baseline, 1 year later, and at each treatment session. Only 51% of those
who were overweight or obese chose to enroll in the weight management program. Participants attended an average of 6.7 treatment
sessions, lost an average of 2.4 pounds, and had an average BMI decrease of 0.3. There was no significant change in weight
or BMI compared to the control group. Intervention strategies that both improve utilization and yield greater weight loss
need to be developed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11414-012-9273-3
- Authors
- Noosha Niv, VA Desert Pacific MIRECC and University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Amy N. Cohen, VA Desert Pacific MIRECC and University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Alison Hamilton, VA Desert Pacific MIRECC and University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Christopher Reist, VA Desert Pacific MIRECC and University of Califonia Irvine, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Irvine, CA, USA
- Alexander S. Young, VA Desert Pacific MIRECC and University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Journal The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research
- Online ISSN 1556-3308
- Print ISSN 1094-3412