The dietary pattern of patients with schizophrenia: gender differences

Abstract

Objectives: Several epidemiological studies have suggested a cardioprotective role of the Mediterranean Diet. The aim was to investigate the quality of food habits (and gender differences) in the population of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia Methods: Ninety-five patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (51 male, mean age 46.11±11.61) were included. A Short Mediterranean-diet questionnaire was used. Results: 67.4% had one meal with vegetables, and 80% one meal with fruit daily. 58.9% did not drink soda, while almost none of the subjects (2.1%) drank wine. Only 5.4% ate more than 3 meals with legumes per week. 40% of participants did not eat any fish at all. 64.8% male and 56.8% female were tobacco smokers. 7.8% male and 18.2% female used olive oil in their diet. Men had statistically significant more portions of meat than women (F=8.1; p<0.05). Regarding the intake of fruit, vegetables,legumes, soda, wine, fish, nuts and concentrated sugar, there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Our results found that people suffering from schizophrenia had bad dietary habits, which is in line with findings of the prior research. Interestingly, we did not find significant differences consider gender regarding this population food intake.