Evaluating an individualized lifestyle and life skills intervention to prevent antipsychotic-induced weight gain in first-episode psychosis

AimInitiating antipsychotic medication frequently induces rapid, clinically significant weight gain. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle and life skills intervention, delivered within 4 weeks of antipsychotic medication initiation, in attenuating weight gain in youth aged 14-25 years with first-episode psychosis (FEP).MethodsWe undertook a prospective, controlled study in two early psychosis community services. Intervention participants (n=16) received a 12-week individualized intervention delivered by specialist clinical staff (nurse, dietician and exercise physiologist) and youth peer wellness coaches, in addition to standard care. A comparison group was recruited from a similar service and received standard care (n=12).ResultsThe intervention group experienced significantly less weight gain at 12 weeks compared to standard care (1.8kg, 95% CI -0.4 to 2.8 vs. 7.8kg, 4.8-10.7, P