title: Pilot study of a cognitive behavioral group intervention to prevent further weight gain in Hispanic individuals with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity and type 2 diabetes are increasing significantly in the Hispanic population and in the Hispanic population with schizophrenia. In the Diabetes Prevention Project (DPP), cognitive-behavioral (CB) interventions were more effective in reducing weight and preventing diabetes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test a CB group intervention based on the DPP model among Hispanic individuals with schizophrenia on weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip circumference (WH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot study using a pre-post quasi-experimental design and convenience sample of 8 subjects from a public mental health clinic who met for 8 weekly group meetings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in BMI, weight, or WH scores based on t-test results; the subjects' weight remained stable, there was a trend toward weight loss, and no one gained weight during the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No further weight gain is a finding that merits further research using a larger sample size and a randomized controlled design. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 13(6), 353-359.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas; mweber@uta.edu.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colon
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nelson