Lederman O, et al. – The aim of this cross–sectional study was to determine the prevalence of modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals with at–risk mental states (ARMS), who are at increased risk of developing psychosis. Findings revealed that youth with ARMS were at greater cardiometabolic risk. Interventions aimed at improving these modifiable risk factors might assist with preventing the decline in physical health correlated with the development of psychiatric illness.

Methods

• This study was conducted in a community-based youth mental health service.  
• 30 members (23%♀ , 21.3 ± 1.7 years old) were selected, ten with ARMS, ten with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and ten healthy volunteers.
• Using self-report and objective measures , physical activity levels were surveyed.
• Aerobic capacity, upper body strength, hamstring flexibility, forearm grip strength and core endurance were evaluated.
• The authors measured sleep quality, depression and anxiety by self-report questionnaire.

Results

• The results of this study showed that the ARMS group did not differ significantly on anthropometric measures from FEP or healthy volunteers and they engaged in significantly less physical activity (p < 0.05) and had poorer sleep quality (p < 0.05) as compared to healthy volunteers.