Researchers studied 311 people with serious mental disorders in Spain to understand how their lifestyle, body shape, and mental health connect. They found that people with these conditions often struggle with extra body fat, don’t exercise enough, eat too much processed food, and report lower happiness and life satisfaction. The surprising discovery: exercise was the single most important factor linked to better mental well-being and quality of life—more important than diet changes or body composition alone. This suggests that helping people with serious mental disorders move their bodies regularly could be one of the most powerful ways to improve how they feel emotionally.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How lifestyle habits (exercise, eating, body composition) and mental health are connected in people with serious mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
  • Who participated: 311 adults aged 18-68 years old living in Andalusia, Spain, all diagnosed with serious mental disorders
  • Key finding: Physical activity was the strongest predictor of mental well-being and quality of life—people who exercised more reported feeling better emotionally, regardless of their diet or body weight
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you care about has a serious mental disorder, adding regular movement and exercise to daily life may help improve mood and overall happiness more than focusing solely on weight loss or diet changes. However, this is one study and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

The Research Details

Researchers recruited 311 adults with serious mental disorders and measured three main areas: their physical health (body fat, muscle mass, and visceral fat using special scales), their lifestyle habits (what they eat and how much they exercise), and their mental health (happiness and life satisfaction using standard questionnaires). They collected all this information at one point in time and then used statistical analysis to see which factors were most strongly connected to better mental well-being.

The study used objective measurements rather than just asking people questions. For example, they used bioimpedance analysis (a safe, non-invasive test that measures body composition) and validated physical fitness tests instead of relying only on self-reported information. They also used established psychological questionnaires that have been proven reliable in previous research.

By measuring multiple aspects of health at the same time, researchers could see which factors matter most for mental well-being in people with serious mental disorders. This approach is stronger than looking at diet, exercise, or body weight separately because it shows how these factors interact. Understanding what actually improves mental health in this population helps doctors and therapists design better treatment programs.

This study has several strengths: it used objective measurements rather than just asking people questions, it included a reasonably large sample size (311 people), and it measured multiple related factors together. However, because it measured everything at one time point, we can’t be certain about cause-and-effect relationships. The study was conducted in one region of Spain, so results may not apply equally to all populations worldwide. Additionally, the study doesn’t tell us why exercise is so important—just that it is.

What the Results Show

The researchers found that people with serious mental disorders in this study had several health challenges: they carried excess body fat (including dangerous visceral fat around organs), had insufficient muscle mass, reported eating many ultra-processed foods, and engaged in very low levels of physical activity. Most importantly, they scored lower on measures of mental well-being and quality of life compared to general population standards.

When researchers analyzed which factors predicted better mental health, they made a striking discovery: physical activity was the only factor that significantly predicted both mental well-being and quality of life. This means that among all the variables measured—body fat percentage, muscle mass, diet quality, and visceral fat—the amount of time people spent exercising had the strongest connection to how good they felt emotionally and how satisfied they were with their lives.

Interestingly, other factors that we might expect to matter—like having less body fat or eating better—did not show a significant statistical relationship with mental well-being in this analysis. This doesn’t mean these factors are unimportant for overall health, but it suggests that exercise may have a special role in improving mental health specifically.

The study documented that people with serious mental disorders in this sample consumed significantly more ultra-processed foods than recommended and had very low physical activity levels. The combination of high body fat, low muscle mass, poor diet, and sedentary behavior creates what researchers call a ‘cluster’ of health risks. These findings align with previous research showing that people with serious mental disorders face higher rates of obesity and related health problems.

Previous research has shown that people with serious mental disorders have higher rates of obesity and shorter life expectancy, but most studies looked at these factors separately. This research adds to that body of knowledge by examining how these factors work together and identifying exercise as particularly important. The finding that exercise stands out as the strongest predictor of mental well-being is relatively novel and suggests that exercise interventions should be prioritized in treatment programs for serious mental disorders.

This study measured everything at one point in time, so we cannot prove that exercise causes better mental health—only that they are connected. It’s possible that people who feel better emotionally are more motivated to exercise, rather than exercise making them feel better. The study was conducted in one region of Spain with a specific population, so results may not apply equally to people in other countries or cultures. The study doesn’t explain why exercise is so important for mental health, only that it is. Additionally, the research doesn’t account for medication use or other treatments that participants may have been receiving, which could influence the results.

The Bottom Line

For people with serious mental disorders: Regular physical activity should be a priority in treatment plans, with moderate confidence that it may improve mental well-being and life satisfaction. This doesn’t mean ignoring diet or weight management—these remain important for overall health—but exercise appears to deserve special attention. Work with your healthcare team to find physical activities you enjoy and can sustain. Even small amounts of movement may help. For healthcare providers: Consider developing or recommending structured physical activity programs as part of comprehensive treatment for serious mental disorders, alongside medication and therapy.

This research is most relevant for people diagnosed with serious mental disorders (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression with psychotic features), their families, and healthcare providers treating these conditions. The findings may also apply to people with other serious mental health conditions, though this specific study focused on severe disorders. People without serious mental disorders should not assume these findings apply to them, as the mental health benefits of exercise may work differently in the general population.

Based on this research alone, we cannot specify how quickly someone might notice improvements in mental well-being from starting an exercise program. Most research on exercise and mental health suggests that benefits may begin to appear within 2-4 weeks of regular activity, but individual responses vary greatly. It’s important to be patient and consistent, as building a sustainable exercise habit typically takes several weeks to months.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily physical activity minutes (any movement counts: walking, dancing, gardening, sports) and rate your mood/well-being on a simple 1-10 scale each evening. Look for patterns over 4-week periods to see if more activity correlates with better mood.
  • Start with a small, achievable movement goal—such as a 10-minute walk three times per week or dancing to favorite songs for 15 minutes daily. Use the app to set reminders and log completed activities. Celebrate small wins to build motivation and consistency.
  • Create a simple dashboard showing weekly activity minutes and average well-being scores. Review monthly trends rather than daily fluctuations. If activity drops, use the app’s insights to identify barriers and adjust your plan. Share progress with your healthcare provider during regular appointments.

This research provides important insights about the connection between exercise and mental well-being in people with serious mental disorders, but it should not replace professional medical advice. If you have a serious mental disorder, consult with your psychiatrist, therapist, or primary care doctor before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have other health conditions or take medications that might be affected by physical activity. This study shows association, not definitive cause-and-effect, and individual responses to exercise vary. Mental health treatment typically requires a comprehensive approach including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes—exercise is one important component, not a substitute for professional treatment.