The proportion of low body weight among inpatients with schizophrenia is reported to be higher than that among general population of adults. However, the exact reason for body weight loss in such patients has not yet been clarified. The present study aimed to investigate the cause underlying body weight changes in patients aged ≥ 60 years with schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders. Data regarding patients’ age, sex, body weight at admission, current body weight, hospitalization period, past medical history and hematologic examination data were obtained from the medical records, and their relationships were analyzed. Analysis of total males and females in this study revealed a significant negative correlation between the rate of body weight change and hospitalization periods less than 20 years (34 males and 74 females) and 47 years (37 males and 76 females) as well. A similar correlation was observed when patients with hypothyroidism were excluded. No association was found between body weight changes and hematologic examination variables that reflected patients’ nutritional status. The body weight loss in psychiatric inpatients was associated with longer hospitalization periods. Each inpatient, therefore, should receive comprehensive treatment to prevent body weight loss during longer hospitalization.

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