Reports from the Guardian have shown that young children who are taking psychiatric drugs are far more likely suffer from obesity or become overweight as a result. Over 300 young people were monitored in a recent test, and the results have now shown that that young people who regularly used certain brands of prescription psychiatric pills were putting on anything up to 20 pounds in just as little as three months. Not only did many of the young test patients gain substantial amounts of weight, but their blood sugar and cholesterol levels had also increased considerably.

Young people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disease or who have challenging behavioural problems, are now more commonly being given Antipsychotic medication. It is widely known that Antipsychotic treatments can cause adults to gain substantial amounts of weight, and in some extreme cases, it can even increase the users risk of diabetes. But until now, no research had been carried out, in terms of the drugs effect on young people.

The drug is more widely used in the US, and healthcare professional are worried that the drug will soon become widely used in the UK. If your child is currently using psychiatric drugs to treat any mental health condition, be sure to discuss the full list of side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.