Promoting Health and Functioning in Persons With SMI
Promoting Health and Functioning in Persons With SMI
Few studies targeting obesity in serious mental illness have reported clinically significant risk reduction, and non have been replicated in community settings or demonstrated sustained outcomes after intervention withdrawal. The researchers sought to replicate positive health outcomes demonstrated in a previous randomized effectiveness study of the In SHAPE program across urban community mental health organizations serving an ethnically diverse population.
In this randomized, controlled study, 133 adults age 21 and older with serious mental illness (SMI) and poor physical fitness (BMI>25, or <10 minutes of exercise 2x over the past month) were randomized to either: a) In SHAPE Lifestyles (ISL) intervention or b) Health Club Membership and Education (HCME): consisting of a YMCA membership, educational materials on exercise and healthy diet, and an on-site introduction to the health club. The following three specific aims were addressed: 1) To compare ISL and HCME with respect to: a) participation in regular exercise and dietary change; (b) participation in preventive health care; and (c) improved fitness and health; (2) to compare ISL and HCME with respect to: (a) indicators of mental health and (b) personal self-efficacy; and (3) to explore differences in ISL and HCME with respect to (a) selected physical, metabolic, dietary, and community functioning secondary outcomes; and (b) the relationship of demographic variables and readiness to change to outcomes. ISL participants received a 6-month intensive program of one-to-one health mentoring, followed by a 3-month period of transitioning to self-directed individual and group programming, with assessments conducted at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. If found to be effective, ISL will provide a practical approach to improving health, independent functioning, and longevity in disabled persons with SMI.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: