Weight Loss Drugs

Dateline: 07/29/99

It is the classic conundrum: obesity drugs and effective weight loss programs are becoming more plentiful yet the number of obese persons continues to increase. Why do some people manage to lose weight and keep it off while others don't? Recent information published by Washington University in St. Louis sheds some light on the subject.

While it would seem to be a simple case of caloric intake versus caloric expenditure, scientists have found that obesity is a complex illness and should be treated as such. There are behavioral, psychological as well as physical aspects to the treatment process.

Most programs concentrate on patients consuming less and exercising more. Such lifestyle changes must be done consistently over time to both lose weight and to maintain the weight loss. In most cases, when the "diet" ends, the weight gain begins again.

Many have seen obesity drugs as an effective way to lose weight. Studies have suggested however, that the drugs may be more successful in maintaining weight loss rather than promoting weight loss.

There are currently nine weight loss drugs on the market. Most work by suppressing the appetite. While many hope to have a quick fix, results have shown that lifestyles changes first followed by the use of the pill is most productive.

The key seems to be the maintenance of lifestyle changes. In structured programs, the support systems such as group meetings, provide a positive reinforcement for the changes. Eventually the support systems end and it becomes even more difficult to continue the lifestyle modifications.

This is where the researchers believe the drugs could be very helpful-maintaining weight loss over time. Since most studies have focused on short periods of time, it is not known for how long a particular drug could be effective.

What do you think? What constitutes an effective weight loss program? Do you think we will see drugs that will be successful over time - even when an individual stops taking the drug? Come over to the Biology Forum and share your thoughts, opinions and feelings.

For other information see:

• Obesity Drugs Not A Quick Fix For Achieving Weight Loss
  Information about the study from Science Daily.
• Does Drinking Milk Burn Fat?
  Researchers from McMaster University have demonstrated that drinking milk can help you burn more fat and gain muscle.
• Virus Linked to Obesity
  Scientists report that obesity in some people may be linked to a virus, specifically the human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36).