What factors affect the lifestyle choices of people with schizophrenia?
| Pages | 21-27 |
| Date | 06 July 2010 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/mhrj.2010.0368 |
| Published date | 06 July 2010 |
| Author | Hosam Abed |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Mental Health Review Journal Volume 15 Issue 2 June 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd 21
RESEARCH
10.5042/mhrj.2010.0368
Hosam Abed
Consultant Psychiatrist, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
What factors affect the
lifestyle choices of people
with schizophrenia?
Abstract
People who have schizophrenia have higher rates of morbidity and mortality and a shorter life expectancy
partly due to less healthy lifestyle choices such as a diet lacking in fruit and vegetables and lack of exercise.
This study attempts to improve our understanding about the factors that affect lifestyle choices in this
group of people. This is a qualitative study in which seven people with schizophrenia were interviewed using
semi-structured interviews about their lifestyle, including their diet and exercise, and they were encouraged
to talk about the various factors that might influence their decisions and behaviour with respect to these.
The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed and then independently analysed by five analysts looking
for themes. The themes were then cross-referenced by the interviewer looking for common themes.
Four common themes were identified and were grouped as lack of motivation, psychotic symptoms, lack
of physical health-related knowledge and side effects to medication. This study suggests that a holistic
approach needs to be taken when considering physical health in these patients, and that physical health
promotion and education should go hand in hand with physical health monitoring.
Key words
Schizophrenia, lifestyle, qualitative, choices, physical.
Introduction
A great deal of research has been done on
physical health in schizophrenia which has
shown that sufferers have higher rates of
morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and
respiratory diseases, and a shorter life expectancy
(Brown 1997; Brown et al, 2000). Subsequent
studies have shown that lifestyle factors such
as poor diet, lack of exercise and higher rates
of smoking play a large part in increasing
the risk of physical health problems in this
population. People with schizophrenia tend to
eat less fruit and vegetables, take less exercise,
are more likely to smoke and have higher rates
of obesity (Brown et al, 1999; McCreadie &
Scottish Schizophrenia Lifestyle Group, 2003).
To make matters worse many of the drugs
used to treat schizophrenia are associated with
weight gain and have been linked to obesity
and type II diabetes (Russell J & Mackell, 2001;
Newcomer, 2005). When compared with people
from low social class backgrounds in the general
population, sufferers have been shown to have
significantly less healthy lifestyles (Brown et
al, 1999; McCreadie & Scottish Schizophrenia
Lifestyle Group, 2003). This has caused a great
deal of concern, prompting increased vigilance
on the part of primary and secondary services
to monitor the physical as well as mental health
of people with schizophrenia. Many recent
studies have looked at lifestyle interventions
that aim to modify these risk factors, but little
research has been done to look at why people
with schizophrenia live less healthily. It is likely
that the illness itself plays a significant part, but
in what way is rather more difficult to establish.
Delusions, hallucinations, thought disorder,
negative symptoms, cognitive impairment,
social isolation and side effects to medication
may all play a part. Or perhaps they are less well
informed about health-related issues. This study
aims to shed some light on this issue by using a
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