Nested case-control study was carried out to assess nutritional status and identify otherrnrisk factors among people with major mental disorders (schizophrenia and bipolar), inrnMeskan and Marako district from Dec. 2001 to Feb. 2002. Data were collected on sociodemographicrnfactors, lifestyle, and nutritional, reproductive health and dietary patterns.rnComplete data obtained from 434 cases and equal numbers of controls matched by sex,rnage in five years range and residence, on one to one ratio. The cohort list of MentalrnHealth Research Project (MHRP) was used to identify all cases, and controls werernselected from the nearest neighbors by frequency matching.rnCases and controls were compared by socio-economic, nutritional, reproductive, andrndietary characteristic. Major mental disorders were positively significantly associatedrnwith unmarried (OR=1.88 with 95%CI 1.33, 2.66), illiterates (OR=1.91 with 95%CIrn1.04,2.29), Muslims (OR=1.50 with 95%CI 1.27,2.88), not having cattle (OR= 2.59 withrn95%CI 1.47, 4.55) while owning a radio (OR= 0.66 with 95%CI 0.41,0.88), and spendingrnless time on job (OR= 0.29(0.22, 0.40) were negatively significantly associated. 'Khat'rnchewing and cigarette smoking were also positively significantly associated (OR=2.68rnwith 95%CI 1.53,4.69 and OR=2.32 with 95%CI 1.37,3.90) respectively with majorrnmental disorders. Adult malnutrition was positively significantly (OR=4.08 with 95%CIrn1.42,11.74) and weight (OR=1.55 with 95%CI 1.08,2.24) associated with major mentalrndisorders. Cases and controls were not different on micronutrient deficiencies,rnreproductive and dietary characteristics.rnThe results of this study help the project managers and others in designing effectivernintervention strategies to improve the health of the community in general and those withrnmental health problems in particular.rnvii