title: Obesity and weight-related medical problems of incarcerated persons with and without mental disorders.
abstract: This study examined weight and weight-related medical conditions of soon-to-be released inmates with and without a mental disorder. The sample included 4,204 males and females aged 18 or older residing in 11 state prisons. Three quarters or more of the inmates were overweight or obese. Mental health status was not found to be a significant factor in the presence or absence of overweight or obesity. Male inmates with mental disorders had higher rates of breathing, walking, and intense pain problems compared to those without mental disorders. Obese male inmates with schizophrenia or bipolar were more likely than those without a mental disorder to report medication treatment for diabetes, cardiovascular problems, arthritis, and intense pain. Evidence-based interventions are needed to monitor weight and obesity during incarceration and to teach weight management skills as part of an integrated psychiatric and medical program.
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral Health Services & Criminal Justice Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. nwolff@cbhs.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fabrikant
authors.forename: Brooke E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Schumann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult