THE STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND LIFESTYLE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL.

Abstract

In this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological aspects of physical activity, dietary habits, nutritional diversity, personality disorders, smoking habits, and sleep issues among psychiatric patients at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. A questionnaire was utilized to collect data from 140 psychiatric patients, consisting of 57 males and 83 females. The questionnaire included demographic information on age, gender, religion, educational background, family income level, husband/wife occupation, smoking habits, physical activity patterns, and socioeconomic status. The study found that 34% of the respondents had the highest intake of carbohydrates, while 21.4% consumed more protein and 38.6% of respondents consumed the highest amount of green vegetables as vitamins daily. Additionally, it was observed that about 45% of the participants engaged in physical activity, with walking being the primary form of activity. Of these respondents, 33.4% engaged in physical activity for less than 30 minutes, while 48.3% and 18.3% engaged in activity for 30-60 minutes and 1-3 hours, respectively. The study also revealed that 86 respondents had sleeping difficulties, while 54 respondents did not. Furthermore, 54% of the respondents attempted suicide, with the majority being students. The findings suggest that adequate sleep is not only beneficial for physical fitness but also mental health. The study also revealed that most respondents had insufficient knowledge about nutrition, particularly those who were illiterate. Overall in this study provides insight into the lifestyle factors affecting mental health among psychiatric patients in Bangladesh. The results suggest that physical activity, dietary habits, and sleep issues are linked to mental health outcomes and should be considered in the development of interventions and programs aimed at improving mental health outcomes in this population.