title: Relationships between obesity, functional exercise capacity, physical activity participation and physical self-perception in people with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared differences in functional exercise capacity between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Physical self-perception and physical activity variables contributing to the variability in the distance achieved during a walk test were identified.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 normal weight, 25 overweight and 10 obese patients and 40 healthy volunteers were included. Functional exercise capacity was explored with a 6-minute walk test. Level of physical activity was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire and physical self-perception using the physical self-perception profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obese patients walked a significantly shorter distance than overweight and normal weight patients (450.6 ± 97.7, 580.2 ± 116.0 and 615.8 ± 92.4 m resp., P < 0.001). All patients walked a shorter distance than healthy controls (710.6 ± 108.4 m, P < 0.001). Dyspnoea was only prevalent in schizophrenia (28.3%, P < 0.001) and especially in obese patients (90% vs. 40% in overweight and 27.3% in normal weight patients, P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, 59% of the variance in walking distance was explained by body mass index, perceived sports competence and condition, physical self-worth, level of sports participation and smoking behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional exercise capacity in patients with schizophrenia is reduced not only by obesity, perceived discomfort and pain but also by a sedentary, unhealthy life style and a reduced physical self-perception.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Centre Catholic University Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Belgium. Davy.Vancampfort@uc-kortenberg.be
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vancampfort
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sweers
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maurissen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knapen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology