The effectiveness of the Keeping the Body in Mind Xtend pilot lifestyle program on dietary intake in first-episode psychosis: Two-year outcomes

Abstract Background Severe mental illness is characterised by a 15-year mortality gap driven by cardiometabolic disease. Antipsychotic treatment leads to increased appetite and rapid weight gain. The 12-week lifestyle pilot intervention improved dietary intake and prevented antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Here we report two-year outcomes. Method Participants were exposed to an extended program. Weight and waist circumference were measured, and food frequency questionnaire completed. Results Diet quality was higher, and discretionary food intake was 40% lower, at two-years compared to baseline. Weight and waist-circumference did not increase. Conclusion This pilot study demonstrated sustained effectiveness of a dietetic intervention in youth with first-episode psychosis with improvements in diet quality and no increase in weight secondary to antipsychotic medication initiation.