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Objective With the rate of obesity on the rise worldwide, individuals with schizophrenia represent a particularly vulnerable population. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic profile of individuals with schizophrenia in relation to dietary and physical activity habits compared to normal controls. Methods Dietary and physical activity habits of 130 individuals with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were compared with 250 BMI, age, gender, and racially matched controls from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) using a 24-hour diet recall and a self report physical activity questionnaire. Results Individuals with schizophrenia had significantly higher levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin compared to matched controls. Additionally, these individuals had an increased waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure than the comparison group. Daily caloric intake was not different between groups; however, individuals with schizophrenia consumed significantly greater amounts of sugar and fat. Individuals with schizophrenia reported engaging in moderate physical activity less frequently than the NHANES group, but there was no difference in reported vigorous physical activity. Conclusions These findings suggest that the dietary and physical activity habits of individuals with schizophrenia contribute to an adverse metabolic profile. Increased opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods for individuals with schizophrenia may ease the burden of disease.

Background: Garlic powder tablets have been reported to lower serum cholesterol levels. There is widespread belief among the general public that garlic powder tablets aid in controlling cholesterol levels. However, much of the prior data demonstrating the cholesterollowering effect of garlic tablets involved studies that were inadequately controlled.

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With the prevalence of obesity on the rise worldwide, schizophrenia patients represent a particularly vulnerable population. We compared laboratory, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional composition of the diet for 55 schizophrenic individuals (mean age= 46.8) with 119 age, gender, and ethnicity matched controls (mean age= 46.8) from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) using a 24‐hour diet recall. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference of the schizophrenia group were significantly greater than the NHANES group (p < .001). The schizophrenia group consumed significantly more calories than the NHANES group, but the relative percentages of calories obtained from carbohydrate, fat, and protein were not different between groups. Sixty‐nine percent of the sample patients were classified with metabolic syndrome compared to 17% of the controls. After adjusting for BMI, individuals with schizophrenia still significantly consumed more (p < .001). Additionally, schizophrenic individuals consumed significantly more fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, folate, zinc, and sodium than the reference group. Individuals with the lowest household income also consumed significantly more calories compared to their higher income peers (p < .001). These findings suggest individuals with schizophrenia make similar dietary choices, but are at an increased risk for diabetes and coronary heart disease due to a combination of larger portions, lower income, and antipsychotic drugs.