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Schizophrenia sufferers at risk from poor diet

Posted on: Monday, 10 November 2003, 06:00 CST

THOUSANDS of people with schizophrenia in Scotland are at greater risk of early death from cardiovascular disease and poor diet than any other section of society, according to new research.

Poor diet is a widely ack-nowledged problem in Scotland and a huge effort has been put into changing the way people eat and cook.

However, more than 20,000 schizophrenia sufferers in Scotland have been largely ignored and left languishing with one of the worst health records in the developed world.

The first study into the diet and lifestyle of sufferers by Professor Robin MacReadie, of Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, has revealed that their diet and smoking habits made them the unhealthiest people in Scotland.

Professor MacReadie said: "We found that people with schizophrenia are twice as likely to smoke. We also looked at diet and found the diet of people with schizophrenia is extremely poor.

"Almost all of the people involved in the study didn't work and generally, the diet of people who are not employed is worse than the general population.

"For many, fruit and vegetables were just too expensive, relative to their income. We also wanted to look at rural areas as well as inner city areas such as Partick in Glasgow."

Now the doctors involved in treating schizophrenia have launched a scheme to help these most vulnerable members of society.

Free fruit and vegetables will be issued to them and check-ups will be given to ensure they stick to a reformed diet plan.

David Davidson, Scottish Conservative health and community care spokesman, said: "If this research is to be meaningfully acted upon, it will require not only cholesterol screening of this group of patients but also require intervention by GPs and community health workers."

Shona Robison, the SNP's health spokeswoman, said it was worrying that a section of society was being ignored by the attempts to improve the country's dietary habits.

The report, which will be published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, found that fewer males, when compared to the general population, reached acceptable levels for consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, potatoes, pasta or rice, and pulses.

Fewer females reached the levels for consumption of milk and potatoes, pasta or rice.

In addition, 70% of those surveyed were smokers, and 86% of females and 70% of males were overweight or obese.

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