Tailored Weight Loss Programs for Adults With Serious Mental Illness

What is the impact on weight, body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), and fitness of a 6-month weight loss program tailored for obese veterans with serious mental illness (SMI)?In this randomized clinical trial involving 256 veterans, compared to usual care, program participants reduced their weight and BMI, but not cardiorespiratory fitness, at 6 months. Weight loss of 7% of body weight or greater (22.6% vs 8.2%) was significant; mean weight loss (7.1 vs 3.5 lb), BMI (1.1 vs 0.5), and 5% or greater weight loss (36.6% vs 22.4%) were nonsignificant but clinically meaningful.Weight loss programs tailored to those with SMI could reduce obesity common to this population.

Corresponding Author: Matthew Chinman, PhD, VA Pittsburgh Health Care System, 151 University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 (chinman@rand.org).

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