Results The results of the meta- analysis show an effect toward the experimental group .
Notably , prevention studies with individual psychoeducational programmes that include diet and /or physical activity seem to have the highest impact .
Conclusions When compared with treatment as usual in psychotic patients , preventive and individual lifestyle interventions that include diet and physical activity generally prove to be effective in reducing weight .
This percentage is below the 5 % to 10 % weight loss deemed sufficient to improve weight-related complications such as hypertension , type II diabetes , and dyslipidemia .
However , it is reported that outcomes associated with metabolic risk factors may have greater health implication s than weight changes alone .
Background Psychiatric patients have more physical health problems and much shorter life expectancies compared to the general population , due primarily to premature cardiovascular disease .
A multi-causal model which includes a higher prevalence of risk factors has provided a valid explanation .
It takes into consideration not only risks such as gender , age , and family history that are inherently non-modifiable , but also those such as obesity , smoking , diabetes , hypertension , and dyslipidemia that are modifiable through behavioural changes and improved care .
Thus , it is crucial to focus on factors that increase cardiovascular risk .
Obesity in particular has been associated with both the lifestyle habits and the side effects of antipsychotic medications .
The present systematic review and meta- analysis aims at collecting and updating available evidence on the efficacy of non-pharmacological health promotion programmes for psychotic patients in r and omised clinical trials .
Interventions to reduce weight gain in schizophrenia.
Background Weight gain is common for people with schizophrenia and this has serious implication s for health and well being . Objectives To determine the effects of both pharmacological ( excluding medication switching ) and non pharmacological strategies for reducing or preventing weight gain in people with schizophrenia . Search methods We search ed key data bases and the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group 's trials register ( April 2006 ) , reference sections within relevant papers , h and search ed key journals , and contacted the first author of each relevant study and other experts to collect further information . Selection criteria We included all clinical r and omised controlled trials comparing any pharmacological or non pharmacological intervention for weight gain  ( diet and exercise counselling ) with st and ard care or other treatments for people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses . Data collection and analysis We reliably selected , quality assessed and extracted data from studies . As weight is a continuous outcome measurement , weighted mean differences ( WMD ) of the change from baseline were calculated . The primary outcome measure was weight loss . Main results Twenty-three r and omised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for this review . Five trials assessed a cognitive/behavioural intervention and eighteen assessed a pharmacological adjunct . In terms of prevention , two cognitive/behavioural trials showed significant treatment effect ( mean weight change ) at end of treatment ( n=104 , 2 RCTs , WMD -3.38 kg CI -4.2 to -2.0 ) . Pharmacological adjunct treatments were significant with a modest prevention of weight gain ( n=274 , 6 RCTs , WMD - 1.16 kg CI -1.9 to -0.4 ) . In terms of treatments for weight loss , we found significantly greater weight reduction in the cognitive behavioural intervention group ( n=129 , 3 RCTs , WMD -1.69 kg CI -2.8 to -0.6 ) compared with st and ard care . Authors ' conclusions Modest weight loss can be achieved with selective pharmacological and non pharmacological interventions . However , interpretation is limited by the small number of studies , small sample size , short study duration and by variability of the interventions themselves , their intensity and duration . Future studies adequately powered , with longer treatment duration and rigorous methodology will be needed in further evaluating the efficacy and safety of weight loss interventions for moderating weight gain . At this stage , there is insufficient evidence to support the general use of pharmacological interventions for weight management in people with schizophrenia
Results The results of the meta- analysis show an effect toward the experimental group .
Notably , prevention studies with individual psychoeducational programmes that include diet and /or physical activity seem to have the highest impact .
Conclusions When compared with treatment as usual in psychotic patients , preventive and individual lifestyle interventions that include diet and physical activity generally prove to be effective in reducing weight .
This percentage is below the 5 % to 10 % weight loss deemed sufficient to improve weight-related complications such as hypertension , type II diabetes , and dyslipidemia .
However , it is reported that outcomes associated with metabolic risk factors may have greater health implication s than weight changes alone .
Background Psychiatric patients have more physical health problems and much shorter life expectancies compared to the general population , due primarily to premature cardiovascular disease .
A multi-causal model which includes a higher prevalence of risk factors has provided a valid explanation .
It takes into consideration not only risks such as gender , age , and family history that are inherently non-modifiable , but also those such as obesity , smoking , diabetes , hypertension , and dyslipidemia that are modifiable through behavioural changes and improved care .
Thus , it is crucial to focus on factors that increase cardiovascular risk .
Obesity in particular has been associated with both the lifestyle habits and the side effects of antipsychotic medications .
The present systematic review and meta- analysis aims at collecting and updating available evidence on the efficacy of non-pharmacological health promotion programmes for psychotic patients in r and omised clinical trials .