- Limited financial resources 
- Reduced access to discount grocery stores
- Inconvenience of healthy food 
- A lack of social support for undertaking healthy eating behaviors 
- Side effects of psychiatric medications such as weight gain and metabolic abnormalities

Saint Louis University

- Understanding of a healthy diet 
- Internal barriers to healthy eating
- External barriers to healthy eating

Healthy Eating Study: Results & Conclusions


Barre, L. K., Ferron, J. C., Davis, K. E., & Whitley, R. (2011). Healthy eating in persons with serious mental illnesses: Understanding and barriers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 34(4), 304–310. https://doi.org/10.2975/34.4.2011.304.310

Healthy Eating in Persons with Serious Mental Illness

The majority of participants defined healthy eating as limiting certain things in one's diet (ex. sweets, sodas, fast food, and/or junk food) and consuming more of others (ex. fruits and vegetables) as well as the implementation of low-fat cooking methods. 

In conjunction, many participants focused on recommendations for common medical conditions among mentally ill individuals (ex. diabetes, obesity and hypertension).

Virtually all individuals included the consumption of fruits and vegetables but neglected the importance of portion size and caloric intake in their definitions of a healthy diet.

Understanding of a Healthy Diet

- Negative perceptions towards the construct of healthy eating
- Taste and satiation 
- The fear of changing familiar eating habits
- Perceived helplessness to overcome established habits
- Perception of food as comfort and fulfilling an emotional need
- Preference to focus on mental health instead of one's diet

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