Background:

People with psychiatric disorders have higher rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. These comorbidities are associated with the underlying psychopathology and drug therapy.

Aim:

To determine the quality and quantity of carbohydrates and fatty acids in the diet and their association with anthropometric parameters in subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

Patients and Methods:

We studied 30 patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in treatment with atypical antipsychotics or mood stabilizers. Three 24-hour recall dietary surveys were carried out. Glycemic index, intake of carbohydrates and fatty acids (g/day) were calculated, and the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was determined. Body mass index, waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage were evaluated.

Results:

The average intakes of carbohydrates and fatty acids were 295 ± 111 and 73 ± 38 g/day respectively. The mean glycemic index was 59% ± 5.4, while the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was 2: 1.

4:

0.6. No association between dietary and anthropometric variables was found. Patients using second-generation antipsychotics had a significantly higher waist circumference than those using mood stabilizing drugs.

Conclusions:

We found no association between the amount and quality of carbohydrate or fatty acid dietary intake and anthropometric parameters.