The Effect of a 12-week Weight Management Program on the Quality of Life in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Kim, Jae Jin; Jae, Young Myo; Lee, Dae Su; Choi, Jin Hyuk; Park, Sook Hyun

doi:2012.15.1.20

Korean J Schizophr Res > Volume 15(1); 2012 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2012;15(1):20-26.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16946/kjsr.2012.15.1.20 Published online June 30, 2012.

The Effect of a 12-week Weight Management Program on the Quality of Life in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Jae Jin Kim, Young Myo Jae, Dae Su Lee, Jin Hyuk Choi, Sook Hyun Park

Department of Psychiatry, Bongseng Memorial Hospital, Busan, Korea. my-pilsoon@hanmail.net

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to examine the effect of a 12-week weight management program on the quality of life, self-esteem and psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.
METHODS
The subjects of the experiment consisted of psychiatric patients taking antipsychotics who were diagnosed with DSM-IV schizophrenia. The experimental group were patients with body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or above who participated in a 12-week weight management program, while the control group did not join the program. All the patients were admitted in closed psychiatry ward of a mental hospital. The program consisted of diet therapy, exercise, behavior modification and education. All the patients were checked on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Korean version of the SmithKlein Beecham Quality of Life (KvSBQOL), Korean version of 4th revision of Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS-R4K) and the weight.
RESULTS
After the 12-week weight management program, RSES, KvSBQOL and SQLS-R4K were increased significantly in the experimental group (p<0.001), as opposed to the control group. While the experimental group showed a notable increase in body weight and body mass index (BMI), the change in the control group was insignificant. BPRS was decreased significantly (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
12-week weight management program had a positive effect to decrease the weight and to increase the self-esteem and quality of life. This study provides evidence for the potential and beneficial effect of weight management program for schizophrenic patients.

Key Words: Schizophrenia · Weight control · Self-esteem · Quality of life