Promoting quality of life and recovery in adults with mental health issues using exercise and nutrition intervention

Abstract

Background

Interventions that promote exercise and a healthy diet can improve quality of life and may promote recovery for people with mental health issues. The aim of this study was to evaluate a community-based lifestyle program for adults with mental health issues to inform the design of such interventions, and assess its impact on quality of life and recovery.

Methods

Mixed methods were used to evaluate 8-week interventions involving weekly group gym-based exercise sessions and nutritional education. Programs were delivered by personal trainers and chefs at a charitable community organization. Acceptability was evaluated using qualitative focus groups and procedural statistics (rates of referral, attendance, and withdrawal). Primary outcomes were quality of life and recovery assessed at baseline and post-intervention; other outcomes included metabolic indicators (weight, waist, blood pressure and fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides) and functional capacity (walk test).

Results

Of the 100 adults referred, 58 began the program and 38 (66%) completed, attending a median of 75% of sessions. Participants indicated that their appraisal of the program environment (related to venue, social group, and staff), and the realization of benefits, were essential to their experiences with the program. Quality of life (mental health, coping, relationships, senses and self-worth), and recovery (hope) significantly improved.

Conclusion

Exercise and nutrition interventions have diverse benefits for quality of life and recovery. Programs should be implemented within contexts that promote positive experiences and inclusive social environments to foster self-worth, personal confidence and hope. Recovery-oriented lifestyle interventions should be utilized routinely in mental health care.

Keywords:

• Mental illness
• physical activity
• lifestyle
• person-centred
• hope
• community

Acknowledgements

This program was supported by North Brisbane Partners in Recovery, which was a division of Brisbane North Primary Health Network. Analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the report, and the decision to submit the article for publication was independent of any funding organisation. The authors would like to thank the original steering committee for the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds project: Dane Cross, Karen Dare, Natalie Avery, Sean Dunstan, Donna Bowman, Bernadette Powell, Rob Kusemamuriwo, Helen Doyle, Sue Batton, Tanya Miller, Jen Odempsey, Kathleen Zammit, Neil Woodroofe, and Samantha Bicker. The authors also thank the participants involved in the program in sharing their views and time for the evaluation.

Disclosure statement

The primary author (JC) is employed by PCYC Queensland as the manager of Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, which is the program reported on in this manuscript.

Author contributions

Genevieve Whybird: Investigation, Data Curation; Zoie Nott: Data Curation, Formal analysis; Emma Savage: Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Nicky Korman: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Shuichi Suetani: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Emily Hielscher: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Gabrielle Vilic: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Stephen Tillston: Supervision, Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Sue Patterson: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Supervision, Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Justin Chapman: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data Curation, Formal analysis, Supervision, Writing - Original Draft.