The Effects of an Educational Intervention on Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain

Purpose: To assess the effect of an educational intervention on antipsychotic‐induced weight gain among patients with schizophrenia. Design and Methods: Quasi‐experimental. Seventy patients with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder entered this 6‐month study condicted in the United States. All participants began receiving olanzapine treatment when they entered the study. The patients were then randomly assigned to an intervention group or a standard care group. Over the next 4‐months, the intervention group participated in weekly psychoeducation classes focused on nutrition, exercise, and living a healthy lifestyle. Patients were followed for an additional 2 months to assess weight change. Findings: A statistically significant difference in weight change between the two groups was observed post‐treatment and at endpoint. At endpoint, the mean weight change of the intervention group was ‐.06 pounds, while the mean weight change in the standard care group was 9.57 pounds. In both groups, men gained significantly more weight than did women. Conclusions: The results indicate that a structured educational intervention might have a positive effect on antipsychotic‐induced weight gain among patients with schizophrenia.