Body weight and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia evaluated with B-WISE

BACKGROUND: Metabolic abnormalities and weight gain are an important problem in patients with schizophrenia. An instrument to evaluate body image and self-esteem related to weight has recently been developed (B-WISE). The first objective was to evaluate whether the findings of the original validation study could be confirmed in a European sample. The second objective was to explore the association of B-WISE scores with the metabolic syndrome and glucose abnormalities. METHODS: A Dutch translation of B-WISE was tested in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia (n=300) who underwent an extensive metabolic screening. RESULTS: The original findings with B-WISE were confirmed in an independent sample. Scores on B-WISE differed significantly as a function of BMI. Scores on B-WISE also differentiated patients with and without the metabolic syndrome and glucose abnormalities. Patients experiencing a recent weight gain had lower self-esteem and poorer psychosocial adaptation. CONCLUSION: B-WISE could be a useful instrument to evaluate the subjective psychosocial consequences associated with current weight and weight gain in patients with schizophrenia.