BODY COMPOSITION OF ADULT MALE PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IN LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA

Patients with mental health problems may be at an increased risk of being overweight or obese when compared to the general population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the body composition of adult male patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Limpopo province of South Africa. For this purpose, a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 male psychiatric patients. Data was analysed in Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS) version 23 using descriptive and inferential tests such as chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. It was found that more than half of the patients (55.6%) had a normal baseline body mass index on admission to hospital, while most of the patients (41.1%) were overweight post-admission. However, most patients (61.3%) had a low waist-to-hip ratio post-admission. Most patients (94.0%) had moderate lean body mass and fat mass (50.3%) post-admission. A statistically significant relationship was found between the body mass index and fat mass of the psychiatric patients (p=0.00). Second-generation antipsychotic medications are the most frequently used among patients (44.6%). Furthermore, patients using second generation antipsychotics such as Risperdal, Epilim and Rivotril were mostly overweight or obese compared to those using first or mixed generation antipsychotics. A statistically significant relationship was found between antipsychotic medication initiation post-admission and the body mass index of the patients (p=0.01). Moreover, the body mass index of the psychiatric patients increased post-admission, and this may be due to the use of antipsychotic drugs that are known to increase body weight and fat mass. The findings of this study highlight the importance of interventions to mitigate the increase in body mass index and fat mass among male psychiatric patients on antipsychotic medication. These interventions may include lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and an increase in physical activity. This will benefit the overall health of psychiatric patients.