{"id":3091,"date":"2022-03-04T17:51:58","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T16:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/?page_id=3091"},"modified":"2025-12-18T15:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:13:54","slug":"weight-gain-in-schizophrenia-can-you-avoid-tipping-the-scales","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/weight-gain-in-schizophrenia-can-you-avoid-tipping-the-scales\/","title":{"rendered":"Weight gain in Schizophrenia &#8211; can you avoid tipping the scales?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-inpage-nav-rea-inpage-nav-block rea-inpage-nav-block front has-margin\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png)\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"inpage-nav-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png\"><\/div><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content--wrapper\"><div class=\"text-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"inpage-nav-title\">Weight gain in Schizophrenia &#8211; can you avoid tipping the scales?<\/h2><ul class=\"inpage-nav-list\"><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"section-nav\"><h4 class=\"section-nav--title\">In this section<\/h4><div class=\"section-nav--nav-items js-inpage-nav-items\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-illustration-rea-illustration-block rea-illustration-block front\"><img class=\"illustration-bg\" alt=\"\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__image image-wrapper\"><a href=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"is-blocked\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"illustration left\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Weight-Image-1.jpg\" style=\"max-width: 72%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rea-mobile illustration-mobile\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Weight-Image-1.jpg\"><\/a><\/div><p class=\"rea-site__caption caption-text align-left\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongweight-gain-in-schizophrenia-can-you-avoid-tipping-the-scalesstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Weight gain in Schizophrenia &#8211; can you avoid tipping the scales?<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Carrying excess weight is a common problem for many people living with schizophrenia.<sup>1,2<\/sup> This article looks at why this may be the case and why it is important to try to manage your weight to remain within a healthy range.<strong><br><br><strong>What\u2019s the healthy weight?<\/strong><\/strong><br><br>Before getting into the relationship between schizophrenia and weight gain, it\u2019s worth defining what we mean by healthy weight. Doctors often determine whether someone is of a healthy weight by calculating the body mass index (BMI).<sup>3<\/sup> This is a measure that uses a person\u2019s height and weight to calculate a value that is given in units called kilograms per metres squared (kg\/m<sup>2<\/sup>).<sup>3<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>It is generally agreed that:<sup>3<\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-list-rea-list-block rea-list-block front\"><div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\"><div class=\"list-unordered list\"><p>A healthy BMI is one which falls between 18.5 and 24.9 kg\/m<sup>2<\/sup>.<\/p><p>If someone has a BMI lower than this, that is less than 18.5 kg\/m<sup>2<\/sup>, then they are considered underweight.<\/p><p>A BMI of more than 24.9 kg\/m<sup>2 <\/sup>but lower than 30 kg\/m<sup>2 <\/sup>means that a person is considered overweight.<\/p><p>A BMI of 30 kg\/m<sup>2<\/sup> or higher indicates obesity.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Of course, if someone is very muscular then that may increase their body weight and thus BMI.<sup>3,4<\/sup> Taking this into account, doctors may consider the person\u2019s overall body frame; their waist circumference; or how much body fat they have.<sup>4,5<\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongschizophrenia-and-weight-gainstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong>Schizophrenia and weight gain<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/schizophrenia-and-smoking-give-in-or-give-up\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/schizophrenia-and-smoking-give-in-or-give-up\/<\/a>Being outside of the healthy BMI range is a frequent finding among people with schizophrenia.<sup>1<\/sup> In fact, estimates suggest that obesity is twice as common in people with schizophrenia than in the general population.<sup>2<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>What is the explanation for this? While <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/understanding-schizophrenia\/treatment\/\">medications used to treat schizophrenia<\/a> are linked to weight gain,<sup>6<\/sup> it\u2019s important to note that weight gain and obesity can occur early in the natural course of the disease regardless of any treatment.<sup>2<\/sup><br><sup>\u00a0<\/sup><br>Indeed, many people with schizophrenia become overweight before their first episode and they continue to gain weight after the initiation of schizophrenia treatment.<sup>2<\/sup> Notably, around two-thirds of individuals experience significant weight gain over the first year of their treatment.<sup>2<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>It\u2019s very likely that unhealthy <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/understanding-schizophrenia\/healthyliving\/#trytogetenoughsleep\">lifestyle habits<\/a>, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/diet-nutrition-and-schizophrenia-are-you-what-you-eat\/\">poor diet<\/a>, <a class=\"rank-math-link\">smoking<\/a>\u00a0, <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/alcohol-and-schizophrenia\/\">alcohol use<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/why-should-people-living-with-schizophrenia-exercise\/\">not exercising regularly<\/a>, contribute to weight gain in schizophrenia,<sup>6<\/sup> so tackling these may help minimise the effects of weight gain associated with the <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/understanding-schizophrenia\/treatment\/\">drugs used to treat schizophrenia<\/a>.<sup>7<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>If you are concerned about how the treatment might be affecting your or a loved one\u2019s body weight, talk to a doctor about the available options. There are differences between the various antipsychotic drugs, with some being associated with less weight gain than others.<sup>2,6<\/sup><a href=\"#_msoanchor_1\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> <\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongwhy-are-weight-gain-and-obesity-importantstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong>Why are weight gain and obesity important?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Weight gain and obesity are important to address as they not only worsen general health but also have an impact on a person\u2019s self-image and mental wellbeing.<sup>2,8, 9<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Managing obesity is particularly important for people with schizophrenia as they are already at a higher risk for having coexisting health issues than the general population \u2013 and being overweight or developing obesity can substantially add to that risk.<sup>9 <\/sup>Indeed, obesity is an important risk factor for developing both heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and it is a leading cause of premature death.<sup> 9 <\/sup>\u00a0<br>\u00a0<br>Of note, adolescents with psychiatric disorders are a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to obesity and experiencing negative effects on their mental health.<sup>10<\/sup> Obesity may not only add to the stigma of having schizophrenia, but it may also lower their self-esteem and overall willingness to take antipsychotic medication as presrcribed.<sup>10<\/sup> <br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongcan-weight-gain-and-obesity-be-preventedstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong>Can weight gain and obesity be prevented?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\"><br>Preventing weight gain and obesity is perhaps easier said than done as there are many factors that contribute to someone\u2019s weight.<sup>8 <\/sup>This includes a person\u2019s metabolism and how quickly their body turns food into energy as much as their lifestyle behaviours, family history, and socioeconomic circumstances.<sup>8<\/sup><br>Weight loss can be achieved with the right support and motivation, however, a combined or integrated approach is recommended.<sup>9.11<\/sup> This includes lifestyle interventions such as eating a healthy and balanced diet, increasing levels of physical activity and avoiding unhealthy behaviours such as <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/schizophrenia-and-smoking-give-in-or-give-up\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">smoking<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/illicit-drug-use-and-schizophrenia\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">substance use<\/a>.<sup>9.11<\/sup><br><br>Some general suggestions for managing weight in schizophrenia include:<sup> 9\u201311<\/sup><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-list-rea-list-block rea-list-block front\"><div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\"><div class=\"list-unordered list\"><p>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/diet-nutrition-and-schizophrenia-are-you-what-you-eat\/\">Healthy eating<\/a>, having <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/sleep-yourself-healthy-the-importance-of-sleep-for-mental-health\/\">good sleep habits<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/why-should-people-living-with-schizophrenia-exercise\/\">exercising regularly <\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p>Using wearable technologies or smartphone apps help to monitor and hopefully improve dietary and exercise habits<sup>10<\/sup><\/p><p>Although no antipsychotic is completely free of causing weight changes,<sup>6 <\/sup>changing antipsychotic medication can be considered, as some are more weight-sparing than others<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongwhere-to-find-further-informationstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Where to find further information<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">In additional to talking to a healthcare professional about weight and how it might be affecting you or a loved one, you may find the following good sources of information on general lifestyle advice and weight management.<br>\u00a0<br>Living with Schizophrenia. <a href=\"https:\/\/livingwithschizophreniauk.org\/information-sheets\/healthy-living-schizophrenia-and-diet\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Healthy Living: Schizophrenia and Diet<\/a><br>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/healthy-weight\/bmi-calculator\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BMI healthy weight calculator<\/a><br>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/healthy-weight\/managing-your-weight\/12-tips-to-help-you-lose-weight\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">12 tips to help you lose weight<\/a><br>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/better-health\/#apps-and-tools\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More ways to kickstart your health<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-references-rea-references-block rea-references-block front\"><div class=\"rea-references-block__references\"><p class=\"references-title\">References<\/p><ol class=\"references-list\"><li>Coodin\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11526812\/#affiliation-1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">S.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/070674370104600610\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Body mass index in persons with schizophrenia<\/a>. <em>Can J Psychiatry<\/em>. 2001;46(6):549\u201355.<\/li><li>Carey ME, Barnett J, Doherty Y, <em>et al<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1186%2Fs40814-018-0378-1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reducing weight gain in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and first episode psychosis: describing the process of developing the STructured lifestyle Education for People with SchizophrEnia (STEPWISE) intervention<\/a>. <em>Pilot Feasibility Stud<\/em>. 2018;4:186.<\/li><li>\u00a0NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/common-health-questions\/lifestyle\/what-is-the-body-mass-index-bmi\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What is the body mass index (BMI)?<\/a> Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>\u00a0British Heart Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/measuring-your-waist\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Why your waist size matters<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>\u00a0British Heart Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/nutrition\/weight\/best-way-to-measure-body-fat\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What\u2019s the best way to measure body fat?<\/a> Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>Taylor D, Barnes TRE,\u00a0 Young A. <em>The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry<\/em>. Thirteenth Edition, May 2018. Wiley Blackwell.<\/li><li>\u00a0Living with Schizophrenia. <a href=\"1.%09https:\/livingwithschizophreniauk.org\/information-sheets\/physical-health-schizophrenia\">Physical health and schizophrenia<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>\u00a0National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/educational\/lose_wt\/index.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aim for a healthy weight<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>\u00a0Cooper SJ, Reynolds G, <em>et al<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0269881116645254\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BAP guidelines on the management of weight gain, metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular risk associated with psychosis and antipsychotic drug treatment<\/a>. <em>J Psychopharmacol<\/em>.\u00a0 2016;30(8):717\u201348.<\/li><li>\u00a0Chao AM, Wadden TA, Berkowitz RI. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11920-019-0990-7\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Obesity in adolescents with psychiatric disorders<\/a>. <em>Curr Psychiatry Rep<\/em>. 2019;21(1):3.<\/li><li>\u00a0Doucet E, Hall K, Miller A, <em>et al<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1139\/apnm-2020-0585\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Emerging insights in weight management and prevention: implications for practice and research<\/a>. <em>Appl Physiol Nutr Metab<\/em>. 2021;46(3):288\u201393<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front rea-share-block\" style=\"margin-bottom:30px;text-align:center;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t<span style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:20px;\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3091\" class=\"facebook-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3091\" class=\"linkedin-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"Weight gain in Schizophrenia","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"Weight gain in Schizophrenia","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"Many people with schizophrenia carry excess weight. This article looks at weight and schizophrenia and why it is important to stay within a healthy range.","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"Many people with schizophrenia carry excess weight. This article looks at weight and schizophrenia and why it is important to stay within a healthy range.","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3091","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3091"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5061,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3091\/revisions\/5061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}