Kids Are Gaining Weight on Medications Too
So I was quite interested to read Lindsey Tanner's review, Alarming Weight Gain Seen in Kids on Psych Drugs. This study tackles two issues - medication weight gain and research of side effects in children.
During the study period of eleven weeks, the kids - each just starting treatment with an antipsychotic medication - gained 10 to 20 pounds. From what I've gathered, all 205 of the kids gained weight - 100% of them. Ouch!
Why the weight gain with these meds? Researchers are not exactly sure, but believe it is probably related to increased appetite, changes in how the body metabolizes sugar and decreases in activity due to sedation.
Tanner reports, "The study authors said their results show that children on the drugs should be closely monitored for weight gain and other side effects, and that when possible, other medicines should be tried first."
My son took Abilify for several years. He also gained weight quickly and kept it on the entire time he took the medication. His psychiatrist was very diligent in monitoring his lipid panel and weight reducing the dosage to a minimum whenever his symptoms allowed. How do you and your doctor work on the weight issue? ~Kimberly
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Weight gain is a big issue for kids. My son gained a lot of weight on depakote. It really has to be managed through diet and exercise – which is great for bipolar symptoms anyway!
I’d suggest researching at the Child and Adolescent Biploar Foundation – http://www.bpkids.org – for how other parents are dealing with the issue of weight and meds.
The drugs treat symptoms but not the roots of the mental health difficulties. For most kids, by giving them a secure and healthy home environment, exercise, attention to diet, time for regular outdoor play and exercise, and filling vacant media time with positive activities, such as art, learning to play a musical instrument, hiking, camping, also referred to as “green time,” it can do much to improve their mental health. Too much time at movies, video games, TV, electronics in general, can effect the mental health of some children who are predisposed.
The medicines really do sedate, for most of the disorders, they are strong medicines, powerful drugs. One girl we are close to, slept everywhere she sent on
Seroquel. She was a different person off the meds and she ended up, so far, overcoming her issues, with a lot of support, and some changes in her lifestyle.