Background. Schizophrenia has a high natural mortality of a largely environmental aetiology.
There is, however, little research about possible risk factors. This study measured the diet, cigarette
and alcohol use, exercise and obesity of a cohort of people with schizophrenia and compared results
to general population rates.
Methods. Semi-structured interview using validated research instruments on 102 middle-aged
subjects with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, living in the community. Results were compared to
general population norms using standard statistical tests.
Results. The subjects ate a diet higher in fat and lower in fibre than the general population. They
took little exercise but were not significantly more obese. They smoked heavily but drank less
alcohol. Most differences remained significant after controlling for social class.
Conclusions. People with schizophrenia have an unhealthy lifestyle, which probably contributes to
the excess mortality of the disease. They are therefore an appropriate target group for health
promotion interventions.