Mental patients are at high risk of obesity

According to a study by SANE, Australia's mental health charity, announced on November 23, mental patients often have a high risk of obesity, tobacco addiction and alcohol abuse.

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The survey was conducted with 2,000 Australians suffering from mental illnesses, including patients with schizophrenia and mental disorders, most of them in poor health.

The results showed that nearly half of these patients were obese, two-thirds of them smoke, more than half are addicted to alcohol and abuse of stimulants.

Mental patients rarely exercise and often have a poor diet.

SANE chief executive Barbara Hocking said patients with poor health were at increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health problems.

SANE estimates that at least 64,000 Australians are affected by mental illnesses, with symptoms such as hallucinations, anxiety and depression.