title: Participants' Voices From Within a Healthy Lifestyle Group.
abstract: Weight gain is a serious health concern. People with mental illnesses are at increased risk of weight gain. The primary treatment is lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and dietary changes. This qualitative study explored the experience of people with schizophrenia who participated in a healthy lifestyle program. Four themes were identified. The findings indicate that benefits of the program were more than physical health improvements and included regular access to a health professional, gaining social relationships, and a sense of belonging. Future recommendations include retaining a group structure in lifestyle interventions to facilitate these additional benefits.
authors.affiliation: a Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta , Edmonton Alberta , Canada.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: b NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne Health, & Australian Catholic University, Mental Health Nursing , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: c University of New England, School of Health , Armidale , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D015430:Weight Gain