A weight management programme for patients with severe mental illness: a pilot project in a general hospital setting in Malaysia
- Author:
Marhani Midin
;
Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar
;
Ruzanna Zam Zam
;
Che Khatijjah Bee Mohd Ali
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
severe mental illness, weight interventions
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2008;9(1):1-5
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: To describe the setting up of a pilot project on weight management programme for
patients with severe mental illness (SMI) in a general hospital setting, the effectiveness of the
programme on 5 patients and the feasibility of such programme to be developed in our local
setting. Methods: Key staff members from relevant disciplines were involved through out the
programme, which was based on dietary education, exercise and behavioural techniques. It
was conducted weekly for physical exercise and biweekly for topic discussion with a total
duration of 16 weeks. Results: Patients achieved means (SDs) weight loss of 1.78 (2.83) kg;
BMI reduction of 0.92 (1.41) kg/m2
; and reduction of waist circumference of 6.8 (4.97) cm.
Factors associated with positive health outcome were high baseline BMI, high educational
level and committed family members. Conclusion: The programme appears to be effective for
patients and is feasible to be developed in Malaysian hospitals.