The screening involved measur ing the patients' weight, blood pres- sure, and fasting lipid and glucose levels. Funding for the laboratory work, ordered by the clinic physi cians, was covered by public health care. Abnormal results were found in the following areas: 578% of patients had in- creased lipid levels. 56.8% were overweight. 35% were hypertensive. 19% had increased fasting blood sugars. In addition, all patients had BMIs >27 (mean BMI 37.55), which according to Masand (2000), puts them at risk for developing co- morbidities such as coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, hyperten sion, and dyslipidemia.
Brochures were made available to the psychiatrists and cre agers to be handed out to referred The PEP was as a healthy lifestyle and well group to patients with one or more abnormal results. A total of 19 tients verbally consented to partici- rate in the pilot project. They were asked to commit to regular atten drse the 38-week time period. The patients were referred by their psychiatrists to the map. Letters. were ma led to the patients' tamily ribe the and their patients' desire to pur ticipate in the group. Family physi- cians were also notihed that copies of kloratory reus would be faxed to them for medical follow up DESCRIPTION OF GROUP MEMBERS of the initial group of 19 mem- bers, 1 woman rind 2 men dripped out due to long-term hospitaleation or a family crisis, and one changed his mind about coming. Sixteen consistent attendees remai ined 6 women and 8 men). Their ages ringed from 26 to 62 (median age 41). All patients had a diagnosis of schisophrenia or schisoaffective dis- order, according to the Diagnostic