Accelerometry is a valid measure of physical inactivity but not of energy expended on physical activity in people with schizophrenia

Abstract

The relationship between physical inactivity and weight gain, obesity and related co-morbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes is well established (Lees and Booth, 2005). People with schizophrenia have high rates of physical inactivity, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Casey, 2005). It appears that aspects of the illness, the medications used to treat it and specific lifestyle behaviours of people with schizophrenia, contribute to this high prevalence. Recent research in the area by Faulkner et al. (2005) revealed that a physical activity questionnaire was not sufficiently precise to unravel the inter-relationships between physical activity, mental illness, lifestyle and medication side effects and obesity, weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this clinical group.
Volume 85, Issues 1-3, July 2006, Pages 300-301