JAMA Network JAMA Psychiatry : Tailored Weight Loss Programs for Adults With Serious Mental Illness
Dec 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Matthew Chinman and Amy N. Cohen shed light on the unique challenges of weight loss for adults with serious mental illness. Chinman reveals how obesity often spirals from these mental health struggles, while Cohen emphasizes the shortcomings of traditional programs. They dive into their innovative Coach2Fit initiative, highlighting technology's role in personalized support and the importance of peer coaching. The duo discusses the impressive results and practical applications their research offers for veterans, aiming to make weight loss accessible and effective.
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Obesity In SMI Is Multi-Factorial
- Adults with serious mental illness face many layered causes of obesity beyond medication, including poverty and cognitive deficits.
- Matthew Chinman and Amy N. Cohen frame obesity in SMI as a systemic, bidirectional problem that worsens both health and mental illness.
MOVE Program Is Effective But Inaccessible
- The VA MOVE program is intensive, group-based, and uses a 245-page workbook, which limits uptake.
- Amy N. Cohen reports under 5% of eligible veterans enroll and half of enrollees attend only one session.
Use Tech For Tailoring, Not Replacement
- Use technology to tailor interventions to individual needs with simple navigation and repeatable content.
- Pair app delivery with human contact to maximize engagement and overcome cognitive barriers.