Weight gain
Over half (54%) of the adult Australian population are overweight or obese (Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2007), up from 45% a decade ago. People with low incomes and
education levels, from rural areas and male are more likely to be overweight and obese
(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). Catapano and Castle (2004) report that
individuals with schizophrenia are three times more likely to be obese than the general
population. Being overweight or obese poses a major risk to the long term health of
people with a mental illness by increasing their risk of chronic illness (Marder et al.,
2004) and appears to lessen life expectancy markedly, especially among younger adults
(Fontaine, Redden, Wang, Westfall, & Allison, 2003).
Psychotropic medications contributing to weight gain
Anti-psychotics
Atypical
Highest risk
 Clozapine
 Olanzapine
Moderate risk
 Risperidone
Minimal risk
 Ziprasidone
Typicals
Chlorpromazine – dose dependent
Mood stabilisers
Lithium (more than half on long term treatment gain weight) Chen and Silverstone
(1990) cited in Malhi, Mitchell and Caterson (2001).
Sodium valproate
Antidepressants
Tricyclic
 Amitriptyline
 Imipramine
MAOI
 phenelzine
Other factors contributing to weight gain in individuals with a mental illness
 Diet high in fat and low in fibre (Brown, Birtwistle, Roe, & Thompson, 1999)
 Lack of exercise (Brown, Birtwistle, Roe, & Thompson, 1999) – sedentary lifestyle,
may have to stop work due to symptoms, restricted activity due to hospitalisation or
pharmacotherapy
 Hypothyroidism (mood stabilisers can produce thyroid dysfunction)
 Family history of obesity or diabetes (Marder et al., 2004)
Patho-physiology of weight gain
Obesity is caused by a calorie intake which exceeds energy output. Saturated fats and
high sugar levels in food are high calorie while a sedentary life style will not burn up the
high calorie intake thus the excess is stored as adipose tissue or fat. In addition a family
history of obesity, impaired endocrine function (hormones), fluid retention and
psychotropic medication all contribute to weight gain see figure 1.
Figure 1. Factors important in maintaining weight and the effects of psychotropic
medications.
(Malhi, Mitchell, & Caterson, 2001, p. 316)
MAOIs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors; SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
TCAs, tricyclic antidepressants. + facilitation; - inhibition
Physical health risks of obesity
Obesity is associated with increased rates of:
 Osteoarthritis (increased weight on weight bearing joints exacerbates arthritis
resulting in pain which in turn leads to reduced activity)
 Sleep apnoea (increased risk with BMI of 30 or greater)
 Gallbladder disease
 Liver disease
 Polycystic ovarian disease
 Cancer (oesophageal, colon, endometrial, kidney, breast)
 Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
 Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
 Hypertension
 Stroke



Hyperlipidemia
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of factors (excess abdominal fat, high blood pressure,
abnormal blood cholesterol and fats, abnormal blood sugar metabolism) which combine
to increase the risk of T2DM and CVD (Lumby, 2007).
Weight related illnesses are also increased in those who smoke
Psychological health risks of obesity
Altered body image
Depression
Restricted lifestyle and quality of life
Significant factor in non compliance with psychotropic medication thus increasing the
risk of relapse
Assessment
There are 3 main measures including the Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference
and the waist to hip ratio (WHR).
Measuring the Body Mass Index (BMI)
Weight (kilograms) ÷ Height (metres) squared or
Weight (pounds) ÷ Height (inches) squared X 704.5
Online BMI Calculator: Better Heath Channel Victoria
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcsite.nsf/pages/bmijs
The BMI is more reliable than scales because weight varies with height
Classification of body fatness based on BMI
BMI
Classification
≤ 18.5
Underweight
18.5 – 24.9
Healthy
25.0 – 29.9
Overweight
30 – 39.9
Obese
≥ 40.0
Morbidly obese
(World Health Organisation, 2000)
Measuring the waist circumference and the waist to hip ratio (WHR)
The location of fat is more important than the BMI. The waist circumference and
specifically the waist to hip ratio (WHR) are a better indicator of the risk for heart
disease, as even small increases in the WHR increases the risk of heart disease by
accelerating atherosclerosis (joAcardiology). The WHR is a measure of how much
weight is around the abdomen as opposed to the hips.
Run a tape measure around the waist at the narrowest point (usually just above the
umbilicus (belly button), after breathing out and do not hold in the stomach, then run tape
around the hips at the widest point (usually around the bony prominences). Divide the
waist circumference by the hip circumference to get the WHR.
Waist to Hip Calculator: MyDr
http://www.mydr.com.au/tools/ToolFrame.asp?ToolId=44
The ideal WHR in men is 0.90 or less and 0.80 or less in women.
Level of health risks associated with waist circumference in white men/women
Men
Women
Health risk*
< 94 cm
< 80 cm
Low
≥ 94 – 101.9 cm
≥ 80 – 87.9 cm
Increased
≥ 102 cm
≥ 88 cm
High
* Risk for type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or hypertension.
Asians and Indians cut off 10 cm lower (World Health Organisation, 2000)
Comparison of relative strengths and weaknesses of BMI versus Waist circumference
BMI
Waist circumference
Predictor of total body fat and related
Predictor of total body fat and related
health risks at a population level
health risks at a population level
Weak relation to visceral fat
Best simple marker for visceral fat
Modest predictor of multiple health risks in Strongest predictor of multiple health risks
individuals
in individuals
Large existing data bases
Data bases accumulating rapidly
Less reliable in discriminating health risk
Less reliable in discriminating health risk
when BMI < 30
when BMI > 40
Potentially confounded by differences in
Larger measurement error than BMI
muscle mass
Requires shoes off
Requires upper clothing off
Sex differences ignored
Cut-offs different for men and women
Needs calculation or chart for clinical use;
Easy home monitoring (no calculation
is conceptually complex
needed); is easily understood
(Han, Sattar, & Lean, 2006, p. 698)
Prevention (avoidance of weight gain)
Focus on prevention as “subsequent weight loss is very difficult to achieve and existing
interventions to promote weight loss are often ineffective” (Marder, et al., 2004, p. 1336).
Take a full health history – if patient has a family history of obesity, diabetes or has a
BMI of 25 or higher, the prescriber should consider the weight gain profile of different
medication (Marder, et al., 2004) before prescribing.
Monitor and chart the BMI and waist circumference of every patient on psychotropic
medication. For those on medication’s known to be associated with weight gain, weigh,
measure and chart at each outpatient visit (or admission) for 6 months, or after any
medication change. Encourage the patient to monitor and chart their own measurement
and weight.
Unless a patient is underweight (BMI ≤ 18.5), a weight gain of one BMI unit indicates
the need for an intervention. If the waist circumference is ≥ 102 cm (men) or ≥ 88 cm
(women) an intervention is needed (Marder et al., 2004). Aim to maintain therapeutic
effects while minimising weight gain and consider substituting with a suitable
antipsychotic with a low weight gain profile. This is not always straightforward as the
following personal account illustrates.
Personal Perspective: Olazepine induced weight gain
“It did settle my psychotic symptoms a bit but not totally, I still
experienced delusional thinking, and my voices never went away
entirely anyway. But what I noticed was I started putting on weight.
I'd go out with friends to restaurants and stuff and I would invariably
eat more than anyone else at the table, I just had this ravenous
appetite I just couldn't control. And then I asked my doctor if I could
change because I was really concerned about running around the
hockey field like an elephant, and she said fine, fine, no worries. I
went on to Abilify and that was disastrous…That was two years ago
and it actually sent me more psychotic than I already was, and I went
into a mania, chronic insomnia. It was the most awful experience, I
have to say, and since that time, two years ago, I've been very, very
unwell for the entire two years, with lots of psychosis and depression
and you name it, I've had it. It's been a mind hell…I blame myself for
wanting to change the medication in the first place and upsetting the
whole stability I sort of had? I sort of blame myself. But then what's
wrong with wanting to look at your body weight and your body
image, now we are driven by body image in this society? Because I
felt really bad, I felt cumbersome in my own body, I hated it. So I did
change but it was disastrous, absolutely disastrous. And now I'm on
Clozapine… I sort of describe it as the monster got out of its cage,
the monster Madness got out of its cage, and I haven't been able to put
it back in and secure the lock to lock it away. It keeps creeping from
its cage and ... plus melancholia has emerged as well and she sort of
trails behind me in her dowdy gown, you know, waiting to assail me
with her darkness and her drear drear horrible nothingness. I keep
wondering, when is it going to stop, when will I wake up one morning
and feel OK about getting up? It's really, really awful, I feel as though
I've gone back 30 years” (Jeffs, 2007).
Management: Reducing weight gain
A multidisciplinary approach is recommended
Mortality and morbidity can be reduced by the loss of 5% to 10% of body weight.
If the WHR is over the recommended limits a medical review by a General Practitioner
(GP) is indicated.
Address issues underlying weight gain for example, if weight gain is related to
medication reduce the dose to minimise weight gain while maintaining therapeutic effect
or substitute with another psychotropic.
Educate the patient and carers on how to implement lifestyle changes.
Patients are often economically disadvantaged and need low cost or no cost programs
Caloric reduction diet of 5 or more servings of fresh food and vegetables daily and reduce
saturated and trans fatty acid intake ≤ of total energy intake (National Heart Foundation
of Australia, 2007).
Regular exercise by gradually building up tolerance to at least 30 minutes of moderate
exercise for most days of the week (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 2007).
Reduction in alcohol intake
Self monitoring, stress management and cognitive restructuring
Bolster self-efficacy
Emotional and moral support
Weight loss medications are a last resort as they may reduce the effectiveness of
antipsychotic medication (Green, Canuso, Brenner, & Wojcik, 2003).
Severe cases surgical intervention may be considered.
Conclusion
Weight gain is common and a significant health hazard. Psychotropic medications and
the unhealthy lifestyles of people with a mental illness both contribute to weight gain.
The focus on management is prevention as once weight has been gained it is very
difficult to lose, however even small reductions can result in improved morbidity and
mortality. Weight management programs require a multidisciplinary approach to
maximise successful outcomes.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2007). Overweight and obesity (No. 4102.0). Canberra.
Brown, S., Birtwistle, J., Roe, L., & Thompson, C. (1999). The unhealthy lifestyle of
people with schizophrenia. Psychological Medicine, 29(3), 697-701.
Catapano, L., & Castle, D. (2004). Obesity in schizophrenia: What can be done about it?
Australasian Psychiatry, 12(1), 23-25.
Fontaine, K. R., Redden, D. T., Wang, C., Westfall, A. O., & Allison, D. B. (2003).
Years of life lost due to obesity. JAMA, 289(2), 187-193.
Green, A. I., Canuso, C. M., Brenner, M. J., & Wojcik, J. D. (2003). Detection and
management of comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia. Psychiatric Clinics of
North America, 26(1), 115-139.
Han, T. S., Sattar, N., & Lean, M. (2006). ABC of obesity. Assessment of obesity and its
clinical implications. BMJ, 333(7570), 695-698.
Jeffs, S. (2007). The Zyprexa story. All in the mind. ABC Radio National, from
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2007/1860792.htm
Lumby, B. (2007). Guide schizophrenia patients to better physical health The Nurse
Practitioner, 32(7), 30-37.
Malhi, G. S., Mitchell, P. B., & Caterson, I. (2001). 'Why getting fat, Doc?' Weight gain
and psychotropic medications. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry,
35(3), 315-321.
Marder, S. R., Essock, S. M., Miller, A. L., Buchanan, R. W., Casey, D. E., Davis, J. M.,
et al. (2004). Physical health monitoring of patients with schizophrenia. American
Journal of Psychiatry, 161(8), 1334-1349.
National Heart Foundation of Australia. (2007). Reducing risk in heart disease 2007
World Health Organisation. (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global
epidemic (No. 894). Geneva: WHO.