Bone Density among the average population has been researched however little has been reported on the effects of Severe Mental Illness (SMI) on bone density (BMD). BMD of the forearm, femoral neck and body % was measured by a DXA unit (Hologic QDR 4500). 30 individuals (17 male; 13 female) with SMI (bipolar (N=14), schizophrenia (N=5), schizoaffective (N=4), major depression/depression (N=2), and other (N=5)) volunteered for the study. Total group (N=30) body fat % (37.3±8.4) and BMI (32.4±6.06) is significantly greater than national and state averages. Bipolar (N=14) showed the highest body fat % (39.1±8.1 vs. 30.7±9.4 %, p<0.05.

Paper presented to the 6th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 23, 2010.Research completed at the Department of Human Performance Studies, College of Education