Health Risk Factors in an Adolescent Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

Abstract

To date, there is limited information regarding prevalence of health-related risks profiles of youths in psychiatric residential treatment, including weight and physical activity. To address this gap in the literature, weight and associated health risk behaviors in a sample of adolescents in a psychiatric residential treatment center were assessed. Adolescents in this sample have nearly twice the rate of being overweight or obese (46.6%) when compared to national (28.8%) norms and only 47.8% met national physical activity recommendations. Adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facilities are poised to intervene with adolescents who are at high risk for unhealthy weight.

Keywords:

• obesity
• residential treatment
• adolescents

This study was supported in part by an award from the University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor's Fund for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the university.