Anne Louise Winkler Pedersen

Anne Louise Winkler Pedersen, MSc. in Human Nutrition, Ph.d-student, Forensic Mental Health Research Unit Middelfart (RFM), Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark & Psychiatric dept. Middelfart, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark.

How to prevent the metabolic syndrome in Danish forensic psychiatric patients

– Investigating where the metabolic syndrome prevention should be implemented, which physical activity and dietary behaviours it should target, and which barriers, facilitators, and motivators to consider in the implementation

Head Supervisor: Frederik A.Gildberg, Ph.d., Professor & Head of Research, PhD, MScN, RN.Forensic Mental Health Research Unit Middelfart (RFM), Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark & Psychiatric dept. Middelfart, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark.

Supervisor:  Kjeld Andersen, Professor, Consultant of psychiatry, Ph.D., Dept. of Psychiatry Odense, Region of Southern Denmark.

Supervisor: Peter Hjorth, Ph.D., MPH, RN. CPS, Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark. Post doc, Dept. of Psychiatry Vejle, Region of Southern Denmark.

(From 2017 to 2022)

English Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is a predictor of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and it is more prevalent in psychiatric patients than in the general population. Some antipsychotic medication increases the risk of MetSyn, and since patients with schizophrenia is over-represented among Danish forensic psychiatric patients, the risk of developing MetSyn is high in this population. MetSyn has attention in the Danish health care system however, knowledge of how MetSyn prevention should be implemented is scarce. We do not know how a forensic psychiatric hospitalization affects the risk of developing MetSyn, hence, we do not know whether MetSyn prevention should target inpatients or outpatients. Furthermore, little is known about physical activity and dietary behaviours in forensic psychiatric patients, therefore we do not know which physical activity and dietary behaviours to target the prevention at. Finally, we do not know the barriers and facilitators or motivators for improvement in physical activity and dietary behaviours in forensic psychiatric patients. Therefore, it is not possible to take these into consideration in the implementation of MetSyn prevention at present. The overall aim of this project is to generate knowledge, which is fundamental for development of future lifestyle interventions preventing MetSyn in Danish forensic psychiatric patients.

Danish Abstract

Forekomsten af det metaboliske syndrom (MetSyn) er højere blandt psykiatriske patienter end i den generelle befolkning. Noget antipsykotisk medicin øger risikoen for at udvikle MetSyn, og da patienter med skizofreni er overrepræsenterede blandt danske retspsykiatriske patienter, er risikoen for at udvikle MetSyn særligt høj i denne population. MetSyn har allerede opmærksomhed i det danske sundhedsvæsen, men der mangler viden om hvordan MetSyn forebyggelse skal implementeres. Vi ved ikke hvordan en retspsykiatrisk hospitalisering påvirker risikoen for at udvikle MetSyn, og derfor ved vi heller ikke, om MetSyn forebyggelse bør målrettes indlagte eller ambulante patienter. Derudover mangler der viden om kost- og motionsvaner blandt retspsykiatriske patienter, og vi ved derfor ikke hvilke af disse, forebyggelsen bør målrettes. Ydermere kender vi ikke målgruppens barrierer, facilitatorer og motivationsfaktorer for at forbedre kost- og motionsvaner, og det er derfor ikke muligt at drage fordel og/eller tage hensyn til disse. Projektets formål er, at skabe viden, som kan ligge til grund for fremtidige livsstilsinterventioner, som forebygger MetSyn blandt retspsykiatriske patienter