Severe mental illness (SMI) is described as the “scandal of premature mortality’. People with SMI are 50% more likely to be obese than the general population. There is little doubt that the complications of obesity (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension) are significant contributors to reduced mortality.
The University of York developed the Health and Wellbeing cohort (N=4000) which, has been used for the SCIMITAR project (NIHR funded £1.5m) to look at the effectiveness of a smoking cessation intervention in people with SMI. We now plan to develop a similar scale programme of research to address the issue of obesity and its management in SMI. .
Lead Academic at Lead University
Gemma Traviss-Turner Leeds Institute of Health Sciences School of Medicine University of Leeds
Lead Academics at Other Universities
Simon GilbodyHealth Sciences University of York
Scott Weich School Health and Related Research (ScHARR University of Sheffield
Other Members of Staff Associated with this project
Andrew HillHealth Sciences University of Leeds
Emily PeckhamHealth Sciences University of York
Michelle HorspoolSheffield Health and Social Care Trust University of Sheffield
Paul Heron Department of Health Sciences University of York
Adam Martin Health Sciences University of Leeds
Other Partners Associated with this Project
David Ekers
Honorary Visiting Professor and Nurse Consultant Tees Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Trust/University of York
Robert Copeland
Professor of Physical Activity and Health Sheffield Hallam University Centre for Sport & Exercise Science
Gary Tew
Associate Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences Northumbria University Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation4343
