Weight control in schizophrenic patients through Sakata's Charting of Daily Weight Pattern and its associations with temperament and character

Abstract Aim This study examined whether daily self-monitoring of weight and monthly interviews with a doctor improved eating habits and led to weight loss, and whether temperament and character traits affect weight change in persons with schizophrenia. Methods Participants used Sakata's Charting of Daily Weight Pattern to monitor their weight daily. In addition, Sakata's Eating Behavior Questionnaire was administered to evaluate eating-behavior awareness. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used to assess participants’ temperament and character. Fifty patients were divided into two groups: the intervention group ( n = 25) filled in Sakata's Charting of Daily Weight Pattern every day; was interviewed monthly by a doctor about weight management; was weighed monthly. The non-intervention group ( n = 25) was only weighed monthly. Results The body mass index (mean ± standard error: 0.59 ± 0.10 kg/m2 , p < 0.001) of the intervention group decreased significantly while their scores on Sakata's Eating Behavior Questionnaire significantly improved albeit marginally. Conversely, body mass index increased significantly (0.66 ± 0.18 kg/m2 , p < 0.001) in the non-intervention group, whose scores on Sakata's Eating Behavior Questionnaire did not change significantly. Weight change and TCI scores were not correlated for the intervention group, but scores for “self-directedness” and weight gain in the non-intervention group had a marginally significant negative correlation ( r = −0.33, p < 0.10). Conclusion Our results suggest that monitoring one's weight daily on Sakata's Charting of Daily Weight Pattern led to improvements in eating behavior and a decrease in BMI of patients with schizophrenia.