When Less is More - Weight Gain in Mental Health Units

An audit of consumers on second generation antipsychotic (SGA) medication indicated an average weight gain of 13.96% during admission to the acute Mental Health Unit at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. This project aimed to reduce weight gain to under 5% for consumers admitted for longer than 5 days, prescribed SGA medication, of baseline weight within or above the healthy weight range.

Post intervention, a repeat audit showed average weight gain had decreased to 1.6%, exceeding the project’s target. Metabolic monitoring increased from 70% to 88%. Effective interventions included psycho education, physical activity opportunities and routine metabolic monitoring.​