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Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Program
The Schizophrenia Program of the Massachusetts General Hospital offers a comprehensive approach to weight reduction and healthy lifestyle behaviors. High rates of serious medical conditions and a shortened life expectancy have long been associated with chronic mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. The good news is that recent advances have been associated with better clinical outcomes and a dramatic decline in medication-induced side effects (such as tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder). The bad news, however, is that because of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, medication side effects, and poor access to medical care, approximately half of individuals diagnosed with a severe mental illness develop a serious medical condition. Weight gain is a frequent side effect of psychiatric medications, so individuals who take these medications are particularly vulnerable to obesity and associated illnesses including type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. The Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Program is tailored to the needs of individuals with serious mental illness and provides state-of-the-art interventions for weight loss, diabetes prevention, improved cardiovascular fitness, and better overall health.
The Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Program has been designed specifically for individuals with a serious mental illness, like schizophrenia. Prior to participating in this program, all individuals will have a wellness consultation which includes a thorough psychiatric and physical exam, assessment of psychiatric and medical history, history of behavior associated with health risk, and history of side effects with psychotropic medications. A detailed nutritional analysis of weekly food intake and assessment of daily physical activity is also included. Following the consultation, the wellness team makes recommendations to the patient, his or her psychiatrist and his or her primary care clinician (with permission). These recommendations may include adjustments or changes to psychotropic medications, dietary changes, and/or lifestyle behavior changes. Eligible and interested patients will be offered the opportunity to participate in a weight reduction nutrition and exercise group, followed by monthly maintenance meetings to provide support for continued healthy lifestyles. Additionally, patients will have the opportunity to participate in innovative approaches for reducing risks for other medical illnesses offered by the MGH Schizophrenia Program through research studies.
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