Developing a physical health campaign in a mental health setting


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

4326.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Table 7

Abstract #112469

Judy A. Johnston, MS, RD, LD and James L. Early, MD. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, 1010 North Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214, 316-293-1861, jjohnsto@kumc.edu

Purpose: Literature documents the connection between pharmacological management of adult schizophrenia and weight gain. The purposes of this formative research are to: 1. Understand perceptions of mental health professionals regarding overweight/obesity; 2. Utilize focus group input to develop a simple behavior change campaign; and 3. Determine the feasibility of adoption of the campaign by the mental health care system.

Methods: Medical school researchers conducted focus groups with employees in a county mental health system. A team used the data to develop an intervention with an behavioral approach to lifestyle counseling that was tested by the mental health care team when instituting anti-psychotic pharmacotherapy for management of adult schizophrenia.

Results: Qualitative data informed development of a physical activity/fruit and vegetable campaign. Simple, low-cost materials were developed. Environmental changes were implemented. Campaign acceptance was measured by observation of adoption and by interviews with staff.

Conclusions: Mental health professionals told us they have a responsibility to address issues of drug-induced weight gain in mental health settings, despite barriers to doing so. A basic intervention to impact weight gain can be successfully adopted in a mental health care setting.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

1.Describe steps used to conduct focus group research
2.Articulate two challenges for mental health care providers when addressing lifestyle-related physical health problems
3.Identify four elements to consider when developing a simple health-promotion campaign

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Mental Health Roundtable Session

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA