No abstract

Obesity is a major problem nationwide and even more prevalent among people with psychiatric disabilities. This study examined the efficacy of a psychiatric rehabilitation weight loss program. Twenty-one individuals participated in the 12-week intervention. Another 15 individuals served as matched controls. Results indicate the intervention group improved more than the control group for weight, body mass index, waist circumference and physical activity. The intervention group lost 2.7 kg (6 lbs) and the control group gained 0.5 kg (1 lb). A weight loss program incorporating psychiatric rehabilitation principles was effective for people with psychiatric disabilities at a community based program.

The prevalence of night eating syndrome (NES) and binge eating disorder (BED) was assessed among overweight and obese, weight-loss-seeking individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Sixty-eight consecutive overweight (BMI≥25 kg/m2) and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) individuals with SMI (mean age=43.9 years; mean BMI=37.2 kg/2; 67.6% Caucasian, 60.3% female) who were enrolled in a group behavioral weight loss treatment program were assessed at baseline for NES and BED with clinician-administered diagnostic interviews. Using conservative criteria, 25.0% met criteria for NES, 5.9% met criteria for BED, and only one participant met criteria for both NES and BED. This is the first study to find that obese individuals with SMI, compared with previously studied populations, are at significantly greater risk for NES, but are not at greater risk for BED. Stress, sleep, and medication use might account for the high prevalence of NES found in this population.

Objective This study assessed phases one and two of a three-phase weight-loss program called RENEW—Recovering Energy Through Nutrition and Exercise for Weight Loss—among individuals with serious mental illness at four mental health centers. RENEW provides meal replacements twice daily and intensive instruction in nutrition and meal preparation, exercise, and goal setting for three months followed by three months of maintenance. Methods Individuals grouped by the psychiatric medication they took were assigned randomly to RENEW or to a control group. Results Participants who completed RENEW (N=47) had lost more weight on average than had the control group (N=42) at three and six months (weight loss of 5.3 and 4.4 pounds, respectively, versus weight gain of .1 pounds and weight loss of .9 pounds, respectively; F=5.74, df=2 and 82, p=.005). Results did not vary on the basis of type of medication. Conclusions Weight loss programs that address cognitive impairments that may accompany serious mental illness can be effective.

Background Individuals with serious mental illness have high rates of obesity and a need for specialized weight loss intervention programs. This study examines the efficacy of the RENEW weight loss intervention and examines the impact of the intervention setting on outcomes. Method 136 individuals with serious mental illness from 4 different settings were randomly assigned to receive the RENEW weight loss intervention or a control condition of treatment as usual. The RENEW intervention is a one year program that includes an intensive, maintenance and intermittent supports phase. Results The intervention group experienced a modest weight loss of 4.8 lbs at 3 months, 4.1 lbs at 6 months and a slight weight gain of 1.5 lbs at 12 months. The control group gained a total of 6.2 lbs at 12 months. However when settings were examined separately the responder sites had a weight loss of 9.4 lbs at 3 months, 10.9 lbs at 6 months and 7 lbs at 12 months. Discussion These results suggest that the settings in which individuals receive services may act as a support or hindrance toward response to weight loss interventions. The concept of the obesogenic environment deserves further examination as a factor in the success of weight loss programs.