Health Risk Factors in an Adolescent Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

To date, there is limited information regarding prevalence of health-related risks profiles of youths in psychiatric residential treatment, including weight and physical activity. To address this gap in the literature, weight and associated health risk behaviors in a sample of adolescents in a psychiatric residential treatment center were assessed. Adolescents in this sample have nearly twice the rate of being overweight or obese (46.6%) when compared to national (28.8%) norms and only 47.8% met national physical activity recommendations. Adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facilities are poised to intervene with adolescents who are at high risk for unhealthy weight.