Taking part in regular physical activity is linked to a more positive outlook on general health in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to a new report.
People with a serious mental illness have some of the worst physical health of any section of the population and strategies to help reduce inequalities and improve their health are urgently needed.
Researchers, led by academics at the University of York, analysed data collected on over 3000 people with severe mental ill health, making this one of the largest studies of health and lifestyle for this population ever undertaken.
The majority of participants in the study (61%) reported wanting to become more physically active or wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
However, other key findings from the study point to lifestyle factors which contribute to a “health gap”:
54% reported eating two or fewer portions of fruit and vegetables per day while 53% reported drinking alcohol, and 45% were current smokers,
Only 38% of respondents reported undertaking physical activity every day or every other day.
The study is the first to emerge from the UK “Closing the Gap” programme of research led by the University of York.
Over the next four years, the research network will work with the same participants to further understand the causes of health inequality and to design interventions that can be used to increase activity and make lifestyle changes to improve physical health.
Lead author of the study, Dr Masuma Mishu from the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, said: “these important findings are based on a detailed analysis of large sample of people with the most severe forms of mental illness in the NHS. Our study provides vital insights into diet, smoking and exercise for this group and highlights some of the factors those are associated with undertaking regular physical activity.”
