NUTRITION AND OBESITY IN THE CHRONIC MENTALLY-ILL

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the need for nutriti on intervention in a group of people living in mental health residenti al houses in the Northern Sydney Area. Method: A nutrition assessment was conducted by the researcher using a face-to-face interview with me ntal health residents and a survey on medical background completed by case managers. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was s ignificantly greater than that reported for the general population. Re spondents also had a significantly higher prevalence of abdominal obes ity than the general population. No respondent met the minimum core fo od group requirements as outlined in the 12345+ Food and Nutrition Pla n. Conclusions: The needs assessment has shown that nutrition promotio n is required in this group. The task ahead is to motivate the group t o change their food and nutrition behaviours, where many barriers to a healthy lifestyle exist.