Obesity and its complications: a survey of inpatients at a secure psychiatric hospital

Purpose – Obesity is an important contributory factor to premature mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to survey inpatients at a secure psychiatric hospital in order to determine the proportion that was overweight and obese. Further aims were to identify variables associated with obesity and the proportion of patients being treated for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia.Design/methodology/approach – A cross‐sectional survey of 234 adult male and female forensic and rehabilitation patients was carried out using routinely collected data.Findings – Of the 144 males, 33.3 per cent were overweight and 47.2 per cent were obese. Of the 90 females, 20.0 per cent were overweight and 63.3 per cent were obese. More patients had gained weight in the last three months than had lost it. Being overweight or obese was associated with the prescription of antipsychotic medication and valproate. A total of 30.3 per cent of patients were being treated for hyperlipidaemia, 14.1 per cent fo...