title: Gender and race disparities in weight gain among offenders prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic medications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have found that antipsychotics and antidepressants are associated with weight gain and obesity, particularly among women and some minority groups. Incarcerated populations (also referred to as offenders, prisoners or inmates) have a high prevalence of mental health problems and 15 % of offenders have been prescribed medications. Despite rates of antidepressant and antipsychotic use, investigations of weight gain and obesity in regard to these agents seldom have included offenders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective descriptive study (2005-2011) was conducted with a Department of Corrections in the east south central United States to investigate the relationship between antidepressant and antipsychotic agents, weight gain, obesity and race or gender differences. We sampled adult offenders who had an active record, at least two weight observations and height data. Offenders were classified into one of four mutually exclusive groups depending upon the type of medication they were prescribed: antidepressants, antipsychotics, other medications or no pharmacotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample population for this study was 2728, which was 25.2 % of the total population. The population not on pharmacotherapy had the lowest baseline obesity rate (31.7 %) compared to offenders prescribed antipsychotics (43.6 %), antidepressants (43.6 %) or other medications (45.1 %). Offenders who were prescribed antidepressants or antipsychotics gained weight that was significantly different from zero,p< .001 andp= .019, respectively. Women in the antidepressant group gained 6.4 kg compared to 2.0 kg for men, which was significant (p= .007). Although women in the antipsychotic group gained 8.8 kg compared to 1.6 kg for men, the finding was not significant (p= .122). Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in weight gain between African Americans and Whites in regard to antidepressants (p= .336) or antipsychotic agents (p= .335).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that women and men offenders prescribed antidepressant or antipsychotic agents gained weight during their incarceration. Women prescribed antidepressants gained significantly more weight than men. However, there was no significant difference in weight gain between African Americans and Whites. Results suggest further investigation is needed to understand the effect of medication history, metabolic syndrome and to explain gender disparities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Institute of Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, CJ - 2300, Augusta, GA 30912 USA.
authors.forename: Madison L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, HB - 4000, Augusta, GA 30912 USA.
authors.forename: Thad
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 997 St. Sebastian Way, Augusta, GA 30912 USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: Lexington Public Library, 3628 Walden Drive, Lexington, KY 40517 USA.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Centurion, LLC, 53 Century Blvd, Suite 150, Nashville, TN 37214 USA.
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Bradford
authors.affiliation: Dental College of Georgia, Institute of Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, CJ - 2300, Augusta, GA 30912 USA.
authors.forename: Wonsuk
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yoo
keywords: Antidepressive; Antipsychotic; Body mass index; Mental health; Obesity; Prisoners