The study evaluates the efficacy of health promotion strategies on diet and physical activity in patients with psychosis. Half of the participants will receive an intervention protocol based on education and behavioural change, while half will not receive it.

Epidemiological studies investigating the mortality and physical health of mental patients have provided substantial evidence of an excess mortality and of a substantially higher prevalence of physical co-morbidity as compared to the general population. These findings have been related to a higher prevalence of risk factors like high blood pressure, high plasma cholesterol and obesity, unhealthy lifestyles, medication side-effects.

The number of clinical trials and intervention studies in this area is still scanty and their scientific strength is relatively modest. The present research project aims at implementing preventive strategies related to dietary habits and physical exercise, and studying their efficacy with a randomized controlled study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ICD-10 diagnosis of affective or non-affective functional psychosis (codes F20-22, F24, F25, F28-F31, F23.3, F33.3)
• one or more contacts with the CMHS in the 3 months preceding the beginning of the recruitment
• Age 18-65

Exclusion Criteria:

• moderate or severe mental handicap (learning disability)
• organic brain disorders
• lack of capacity to consent to inclusion
• subjects already involved in individual treatment related to diet and physical exercise
• subjects deemed unable or unfit to participate in the proposed physical activities