A comparison of the nutrient intake of a community-dwelling first episode psychosis cohort, aged 19-64, with data from the United Kingdom population

Psychosis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and type-2 diabetes and reduces life expectancy. There remains limited data comparing the dietary habits of community-dwelling first episode psychosis sufferers – with autonomy over diet - and the general population. The data represents the retrospective evaluation of nutritional data collected between 2007 and 2013 from 143 individuals from the United Kingdom population receiving treatment for first episode psychosis. Differences in mean nutrient intakes between the study cohort and the national sample were tested for statistical significance using independent t-tests, incorporating Satterthwaite’s correction where required. Mean total energy intake is lower for males (p=0.049) and higher for females (p=0.016) in the cohort than in the corresponding sub-groups of the national sample. Females in the study cohort consume 12.9g (95% CI: 4.3g – 21.5g) more total fat per day, whilst males consume 7.7g (95% CI: 0.5g – 14.9g) less protein per day than the national sample. Males in the study also show significantly lower mean intakes than nationally of folate, iron, selenium, vitamin D and zinc, but not vitamin C. The proportions of individuals not meeting the LRNIs, particularly for selenium (males 54.0% and females 57.1%) and for iron amongst females (29.6%), is cause for concern regarding potentially severe deficiencies. Further exploration of dietary habits within first episode psychosis are warranted to assess whether individuals make beneficial dietary changes for their physical and mental health and wellbeing following dietary change intervention. It would also be pertinent to assess any correlation between diet and mental health symptomology.