Temmingh H., Claassen A., Van Zyl S., Carrara H., Dayakalashe N.M., Myer L., Stein D.J.
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Valkenberg Hospital, Private Bag X1, Observatory, Cape Town, 7935, South Africa; Virgin Life Care (Pty) Ltd, South Africa; School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Temmingh, H., Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Valkenberg Hospital, Private Bag X1, Observatory, Cape Town, 7935, South Africa; Claassen, A., Virgin Life Care (Pty) Ltd, South Africa; Van Zyl, S., Virgin Life Care (Pty) Ltd, South Africa; Carrara, H., School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Dayakalashe, N.M., Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Valkenberg Hospital, Private Bag X1, Observatory, Cape Town, 7935, South Africa; Myer, L., School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Stein, D.J., Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Valkenberg Hospital, Private Bag X1, Observatory, Cape Town, 7935, South Africa
Obesity and metabolic disturbances frequently occur in individuals with psychiatric disorders. This study evaluates a telephonically delivered lifestyle coaching intervention aimed at weight reduction and wellness improvement in psychiatric outpatients. A cohort of 761 participants was prospectively followed up for a period of 12 months. Lifestyle coaching was administered telephonically on a weekly basis for the first 3 months and monthly thereafter. During the study period, there was a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference as well as a significant increase in general health in the completer group. A total of 46% of the participants lost 5% or more of their baseline weight. Significant predictors of attrition at baseline were the presence of metabolic syndrome, younger age, chronic illness, and the diagnosis of a mood disorder. Dropout was significantly less in those participants who received support from a nominated caregiver. Telephonic lifestyle coaching is feasible in this population. Copyright © 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.