Weight Loss Intervention for People With Serious Mental Illness: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the RENEW Program

Abstract

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.

A Randomized, Controlled Multisite Study of Behavioral Interventions for Veterans with Mental Illness and Antipsychotic Medication-Associated Obesity

“…These strategies were also found most helpful in the ACHIEVE study, 52 reinforcing the idea that simple strategies are effective for those with mental illness. According to the authors, ACHIEVE participants were provided two reduced-calorie meals as part of their outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs, 13 similar to participants in the RENEW program 14,19 who received two meal replacements per day. In contrast, the primary nutrition intervention in this study involved classes and counseling to help participants independently make healthier decisions.…”

“…10 Approaches to address weight gain include pharmacotherapy, 5 bariatric surgery, 11,12 and behavioral interventions. 13,14 Pharmacotherapy, while shown to have a short-term effect, is often ineffective in the long term. 5 Bariatric surgery also provides short-term results for people with psychiatric For Irina Y. Arnold, the MD degree was obtained in Russia Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3960-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.…”

“…Intervention studies demonstrate weight loss and improved metabolic profiles compared to control groups. 5,9,13,14,[16][17][18][19][20][21] While durations of interventions vary, these studies highlight the importance of nutrition and exercise modification. Weight loss interventions can reduce concomitant medication use and overall cost.…”

Obesity, Weight Loss, and Employment Prospects – Evidence from a Randomized Trial

“…However, this information is not very reliable due to implausible responses or non-response. 23 The slight deviations to Bauer et al (2009) are due to several reforms that took place in the meantime.…”

“…Hooper et al (2007) provide evidence for a decrease in painful musculoskeletal conditions. Brown et al (2011) reports mental health improvements in obese individuals with serious mental illness. Reviewing the literature, Blackburn (1995) confirms positive health effects of weight loss.…”