Dietary and Exercise Educational Program for Patients Taking Antipsychotic Medication

Problem: Overweight and obesity are significant problems in patients being treated with antipsychotic medications. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting over 72 million adults (Ogden, Carroll, McDowell, & Flegal, 2007). Obesity related conditions or metabolic syndrome include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer are some of the leading cause of preventable death (CDC, 2013; Park, Usher & Foster, 2011). Design: quasi-experimental. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement an evidence-based educational program in a behavioral health setting with an overall goal of decreasing weight gain in patients who are prescribed antipsychotic medicines. Methods: A 12 week-long program was designed for people who are prescribed a regimen of antipsychotic medicines. The program included guidelines for regular exercise and diet, along with a weekly 1-hour session of dietary and exercise education. There were 7 participants at the beginning of the program; 5 completed the program. A pre- and post-program questionnaire was administered to assess attitudes and behaviors about eating. Findings: Participants experienced statistically significant weight reduction (P= .043). There were no statistical differences on the participants' waist circumference and BMI. Inconsistent attendance may have negatively impacted the results. However, the results were effective in showing no weight gain among all participants. Conclusion: An educational program to help prevent weight gain induced by antipsychotic medication can be impactful to the health care system.