Monday, August 10, 2009

Overweight, adolescence and antipsychotics

It is estimated that 16% of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. Antipsychotic agents can lead to weight gain and an increase in the health problems associated with it and researchers from the University of Texas looked into this issue in a sample of 49 adolescents. The children had an average age of 13 and were treated for - on average - 27 days. Half of them took olanzapine and the other half took risperidone. The study found that both groups showed a significant increase in body-mass-index. Seven of the children taking olanzapine and four of the children taking risperidone became overweight or at risk of overweight over the course of their treatment. Those children taking olanzapine also showed a significant increase in their risk factors for diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

Khan, Rais A., Mican, Lisa M. and Suehs, Brandon T. - Effects of olanzapine and risperidone on metabolic factors in children and adolescents: a retrospective evaluation Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 2009, 15(4), 320-328

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