Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong MOC, Yip WK, Yip YH, Tam MH, Sip YL, Tai YS, Wong KM, Choi YM
Affiliation :
Community Psychiatric Service, Tai Po Hospital and North District Hospital
Introduction :
Research indicates that people with severe mental illness (SMI) have a shorter life expectancy than the general population, mainly due to unhealthy behaviours such as lack of exercise, smoking, poor dietary choices, and medication side effects (Parks et al., 2006; Must et al., 1999). These factors are linked to premature mortality from various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease.
The Community Psychiatric Service (CPS) of NTEC has developed a collaborative program to improve patients' fitness and lifestyle through educational talks and physical exercise sessions. This initiative was in collaboration with the Hong Kong government's Leisure and Cultural Service Department. The goals are to enhance our users' physical health and promote patient self-awareness in healthier lifestyles.
Objectives :
Enhance Self-Awareness: Enhance users' understanding of their current health status.
Educate on Healthy Living: Provide knowledge about healthy lifestyle choices.
Encourage Exercise Habits: Help users establish regular physical activity routines.
Boost Self-Efficacy: Empower users to take charge of their health management.
Methodology :
Recruitment of participants in CPS:
Inclusion criteria: users aged 18-70, both genders, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 23 and motivation to engage in the program.
Program Structure
Duration: The program ran for three months. Six series were conducted from 2016 to 2025, and 64 participants completed the program.
Educational Sessions: In each series, a medical officer, dietitian, and nurse will lead educational talks on mental and physical health awareness.
Physical Exercise Classes: Qualified Leisure and Cultural Service Department coaches conduct 8-11 sessions (each lasting 1.5 hours).
Assessment tools:
Pre- and Post-Assessment: Participants complete questionnaires at the beginning and end of the program.
Assessment Tools:
BMI is measured using a body scale.
Hope Scale (12 questions, 8-point Likert scale).
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (10 questions, Guttman scale).
Result & Outcome :
The program was conducted from 2016 to 2025, with 64 participants completing the training. The following findings were observed:
Body Mass Index (BMI) decreased slightly by an average of 1.14%.
The Hope Scale increased by an average of 6.64%.
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale showed an increase of 12.4%.
Discussion
Statistical analysis indicated a significant improvement in the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, reflecting enhanced self-worth and confidence among participants. The increase in the Hope Scale, averaging 6.64%, suggested participants are feeling more optimistic, motivated, and confident in their ability to achieve goals and overcome obstacles. The slight reduction in average BMI (1.14%) may be attributed to increased awareness of the benefits of diet and exercise.
Additionally, over 85% of participants reported enjoyment during the exercise sessions, while 75% recognized the potential of physical activity to improve their fitness levels and expressed interest in continuing their training. Overall, participants expressed satisfaction with the program, noting a heightened interest in physical exercise and a greater understanding of the advantages of a balanced diet and proper hydration.
Conclusion:
The collaborative fitness program developed by the CPS of NTEC presents a promising approach to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals with severe mental illness. By integrating educational talks with structured physical exercise sessions, the program increased health awareness, encouraged healthy lifestyle choices, and improved self-efficacy among participants.
