Interventions for Weight Gain in Schizophrenia (A Cochrane Review) (2004-2005)

Good physical health is a realistic goal for people with mental illness and excessive weight gain is an important public health issue. Research has been requested to identify the most effective strategies for promoting health to individuals with severe and enduring mental health problems and their physical health needs should be given greater priority (Phelan et al., 2001). Weight loss in this population may be difficult but one systematic review suggests that small effects are possible. Individuals taking antipsychotic medication should be monitored for weight gain and where possible be prescribed medication that is least likely to cause weight gain in patients who are already overweight (Blackburn, 2000). However, if weight gain does occur, both dietary and exercise counselling set within a behavioural modification programme may be necessary for sustained weight control (Faulkner, Soundy, & Lloyd, 2003). This Cochrane review will update and extend these recent reviews by focusing on randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration www.cochrane.org is now the largest organization in the world engaged in the production and maintenance of systematic reviews. The Collaboration aims to help patients, health care professionals, policy makers and managers make well-informed decisions by preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of interventions in all areas of health care. These reviews have already contributed to many important improvements in health care and are widely used in treatment guidelines and health policy documents.