Associations between sedentary behaviour and metabolic parameters in patients with schizophrenia

Psychiatry Res. 2012 Dec 30;200(2-3):73-8. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.03.046. Epub 2012 Apr 11.

Abstract

This study examined the association between sedentary behaviour and metabolic parameters among patients with schizophrenia. A total of 76 patients and 38 healthy age-, gender- and BMI-matched volunteers were included. Participants were asked for their overall sitting and physical activity behaviour using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Patients were additionally screened for psychiatric symptoms and extrapyramidal side-effects of antipsychotic medication. On average, patients with schizophrenia spent 8.5h per day sitting (versus 6.21h in healthy controls). Patients sitting more than 10.4h per day had a higher BMI, waist circumference and fasting glucose concentrations and experienced more negative and cognitive symptoms than those sitting less than 5.8h per day. Overall sitting time was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of metabolic syndrome. A stepwise backward-elimination multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that sitting time is a significant predictor for BMI. Current results suggest patients with schizophrenia may benefit from reducing total sitting time.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Body Mass Index
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / complications
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism*
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Waist Circumference

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents