The 'Fit for Life' exercise programme: improving the physical health of people with a mental illness.

People with a mental illness have very poor physical health parameters when compared to the general population. This paper outlines an exercise programme developed to improve overall fitness and curb weight gain. Seventy-two mental health service inpatients completed the general or individualised gym exercise programme within 12 weeks.

Kimberley Indigenous mental health: An examination of metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Objective: There is an increased risk of physical health comorbidities in people with a mental illness. This paper examines the metabolic syndrome parameters for the general population, indigenous Australians and people with a mental illness, and compares them to a sample of predominantly indigenous adults with mental health problems.

Design: A longitudinal (24 month) audit of patient medical records was conducted between February 2011 and March 2013.

Obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in people with a mental illness: a need for primary health care.

People with a mental illness show a growing incidence of obesity, and higher rates of metabolic syndrome when compared with the general population. This paper reviews research on obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, with the aim of directing clinical attention towards the improvement of patient physical health. A systematic search of cross-discipline databases and journals provided peer-reviewed research for analysis, and national statistics allowed for the investigation of differences in rates of occurrence between people experiencing a mental illness and the general population.

Assessing overweight and obesity across mental disorders: personality disorders at high risk.

Purpose: The aim of the present investigation is to assess the prevalence of obesity in people diagnosed as having a mental illness and to investigate differences between disorders. This adds to the paucity of research in this particular population of people and assists with preventative knowledge to obtain optimum physical health.

Methods: Data were collected for all 508 male and female inpatients (new and already existing) in a public mental health service centre in Western Australia between January and December 2008.

Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers: a comprehensive assessment and monitoring package for mental health and primary care clinicians.

Objectives: People with a mental illness are more likely to experience poor physical health as compared to the general population. Currently, Australian mental health patients experience a relatively low level of physical health appraisal, prompting the development of the Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers assessment and monitoring package.

Method: The Clinical guidelines package takes an holistic approach, with a focus on the key dimensions of medication effects, lifestyle, existing or developing physical disorders, alcohol and illicit drug use, and psychosocial factors.

Screening for the metabolic syndrome in patients receiving antipsychotic treatment: a proposed algorithm.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a well described cluster of interrelated risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The key components of MetS are central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. The 2005 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consensus definition of MetS aimed to reduce confusion over criteria for MetS and to provide a simple diagnostic and clinical tool.