The Risk of Overweight in Children and Adolescents with Major Mental Illness

Abstract

To survey the charts of youths with major mental illness who may constitute a high-risk group (HRG) for overweight. We reviewed the charts of youths admitted to a public sector psychiatric hospital. For the 795 cases of patients 6 to 18 years old identified as the study cohort, we derived body mass index percentiles using the Centers for Disease Control Epi Info software. We defined a HRG as those youths who were "overweight" and "at risk for overweight" and compared them with national measurements. We also determined the frequency of psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic drugs use. A total of 51.8% were in the HRG compared with the national average of 35.2% for the 6 to 19 years age group of the latest available National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We noted an increase in the prevalence of mood disorders and psychosis with increasing age. Many (45.3%) were discharged on medications that can potentially cause moderate-to-severe weight gain. Youths with major psychiatric illnesses constitute a HRG for overweight.