Impact of Physical Activity on Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder associated with high rates of sedentary behavior, metabolic syndrome, and cognitive impairment. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve psychiatric symptoms, cognitive function, and overall quality of life, yet few patients engage in regular PA. This study evaluated PA levels in 124 outpatients with schizophrenia using the short-form IPAQ and examined associations with sociodemographic, clinical, and metabolic factors. The majority of patients (86.3%) were classified as physically inactive, while 11.3% engaged in moderate PA and 2.4% in vigorous PA. Low PA was associated with older age, female sex, unemployment, and social isolation, whereas higher PA levels were linked to fewer hospitalizations and absence of metabolic syndrome. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating structured PA into therapeutic and psychosocial interventions for patients with schizophrenia.