Eating Smart

Some Medications Produce Weight Gain
So Mentally Ill Must Watch Their Diets

We are a growing nation but not always in a good way. The incidence of overweight or obesity has been spiraling up and, unfortunately, the prevalence is even higher in people with mental illness.

Many factors affect a person's weight status, one being medication. Weight gain is a frequent side effect of some of the antipsychotic medication and can affect compliance. One should keep in mind that although there may be some initial weight gain, that in the long term if the medication is effective the patients should start to feel more positive and be motivated to improve their eating habits and start exercising. The medication compliance is essential to help people take better care of themselves. People should be made aware of the possibility of weight gain at the beginning of treatment and their weight should be monitored.

Some studies have shown that with schizophrenics there is an increased consumption of high-caffeine, high-calorie beverages, which, when accompanied by a lack of motivation to exercise, contribute to a rising weight.

Or perhaps their medication makes them feel tired or thirsty and, to relieve this condition, they increase their intake of caffeine with beverages that also contain sugar.

Low calorie options are available such as water, whether plain, flavored or carbonated, or diet caffeine-free soda.

Start cutting back by alternating regular beverages with sugar-free-caffeine free soda and continue to replace beverages with sugar-free choices that are better for hydration.

A person can be overweight and follow a poor diet because they may not be motivated to cook or plan meals and consequently rely on the high-fat, high-calorie food choices in fast food restaurants or convenience foods from the supermarket. Making changes to decrease high-calorie foods should be accompanied by an increase in fruits, and vegetables and fiber.

Weight loss is difficult but not impossible and ongoing support and education from the beginning of treatment has been effective in improving eating habits and physical activity.

Start learning what a healthy serving size is, how to plan a meal that includes most food groups, that snacks do not mean chips, candy, and cookies but rather fruit, cereal and milk or a yogurt…all quick, and easy.

Ongoing support from family, friends and healthcare providers is necessary to promote changes and maintain these healthy habits.

Eating well and exercising will help improve compliance of medications, reduce medical complications and improve one’s physical and mental health.

(Ms. Gibbons, a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator, provides outpatient nutrition medical therapy at Cape Cod Hospital.)