Expanding collaborative care: integrating the role of dietitians and nutrition interventions in services for people with mental illness

Scott B Teasdale; Geogina Latimer; Annette Byron; Vanessa Schuldt; Josephine Pizzinga; Janice Plain; Kerryn Buttenshaw; Adrienne Forsyth; Elizabeth Parker; Nerissa Soh

doi:10.1177/1039856217726690

Expanding collaborative care: integrating the role of dietitians and nutrition interventions in services for people with mental illness

Australas Psychiatry. 2018 Feb;26(1):47-49. doi: 10.1177/1039856217726690. Epub 2017 Sep 4.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Senior Mental Health Dietitian, Keeping the Body in Mind Program, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, and; PhD candidate, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Dietitian, cohealth, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
³ Senior Policy Officer, Dietitians Association of Australia, Deakin, ACT, Australia.
⁴ Policy and Advocacy Officer, Dietitians Association of Australia, Deakin, ACT, Australia.
⁵ Clinical Dietitian, IPC Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁶ Director of Patient Services, Macquarie Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Dietitian, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁸ Senior Lecturer, PhD, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁹ Senior Clinical Dietitian, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹⁰ Clinical Senior Lecturer, PhD, Psychiatry, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 28869391
DOI: 10.1177/1039856217726690

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to draw mental health clinicians' attention to the connections between nutrition and mental health, and the roles that Accredited Practising Dietitians play in improving mental and physical health through dietary change.

Methods: Selective narrative review.

Results: Unhealthy dietary practices are common in high prevalence and severe mental illness. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that nutrients and dietary patterns impact on mental health. In addition, poor physical health is well documented in people with mental illness and the greatest contributor to the mortality gap. Dietary intervention studies demonstrate improved mental and physical health outcomes. Accredited Practising Dietitians translate nutrition science into practical advice to improve the nutritional status of patients with mental illness, and prevent and manage comorbidities in a variety of care settings.

Conclusions: Medical Nutrition Therapy offers opportunities to improve the physical and mental health of people living with mental illness.

Keywords: diet; intervention; mental disorder; mental illness; nutrition.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diet Therapy*
Humans
Mental Disorders / diet therapy
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Nutritionists*
Patient Care Team* / organization & administration