Aim of the study: The analysis of metabolic disorders in people with mental disorders due to psychological factors, healthy and unhealthy behaviour as well as the material situation and employment status. Material and methods: Ninety-one adults diagnosed with a mental disorder who use community support centres, whose metabolic rates were examined with the use of the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) indicator, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and glucose concentration. Cognitive function examinations were performed by using various testing methods to assess general cognitive function, direct and delayed memory, verbal fluency (letter and semantic). Additionally, a test to determine the severity of depression, and also a sociodemographic survey were performed. Results: Cigarette smoking was associated with a decrease of cognitive functions (p < 0.01) and letter fluency (p < 0.04). Physically active people have lower WHR indicators (p < 0.008), decreased severity of depressive symptoms (p < 0.002) and a lower rate of hospitalisations (p < 0.001). They achieved better results in terms of short-term memory (p < 0.02) than physically inactive people. People employed in sheltered work conditions had lower rates of abdominal obesity WHR (p < 0.01), and achieved better results in the tests measuring their general cognitive functions – Short Test of Mental Status (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Cigarette smoking, low physical activity, and a lack of employment are associated with metabolic rate disorders, especially in relation to the indicators of overweight and obesity, as well as the general decrease in cognitive functions and the ability of learning and memorisation.

indicators of metabolic rate, cognitive functions, cigarette smoking, physical activity