Serious Problems associated with Obesity.

Being overweight can cause some problems that you may find embarrassing. Here are some of them.

A red rash under the breasts is a problem for many overweight women. This does not mean you are unclean. It is simply that some skin fungi thrive in warm, moist folds of skin, and of course these skin folds are deeper if you are overweight. For more information, seeredness under the breasts.

Red rash in the groin occurs for similar reasons to the rash under the breasts. For more information, see jock itch.

Sweating seems to be a common problem. This may be partly because if you are overweight you have to put more effort into any movements that you make. Have a look at the sweating section for advice.

Stretch marks can occur, especially following yo-yo dieting. (Another good reason not to go on fad diets.) There are some treatments, so look at the stretch marks section.

Leaking urine when you cough or sneeze is a very common worry if you are overweight (International Journal of Obesity 2008; 32:1312–8). When we are overweight, fat accumulates inside the abdomen, as well as under the skin. The ‘pelvic floor’ muscles that support the bladder, and help to prevent leakage, cannot cope with the weight of this fat in the abdomen. For more information, look at the section on incontinence of urine.

Sexual problems seem to be more common in overweight people. If you are very overweight, actually having intercourse might be problematic and, in men, erection problems are more likely (International Journal of Impotence Research 2005; 17:391–8). A Swedish survey of overweight women found they had less satisfactory sex lives, and were more likely to try to avoid having intercourse (International Journal of Obesity 2008; 32:1312–18). This might be partly to do with feeling generally unattractive. It was also partly because they were worried about leaking urine during sex (which was more likely to happen than in women of normal weight). Another study, in Italy, reported that being overweight did not affect sexual desire, but did cause problems with becoming sexually aroused, lubrication, and orgasm (International Journal of Impotence Research 2007; 19:353–7). The good news is that if you lose some weight, your sex life should improve; this has been shown by several research studies.

Tips For Weightloss

Top tips for losing weight

• Eat only when you are hungry – not because you are upset or bored.
• Eat slowly – put down your knife and fork (or put your sandwich down) between mouthfuls.
• Don’t do something else while you are eating (such as TV, reading). Concentrate on your food and enjoy every mouthful.
• Pause in the middle of the meal to assess how truly hungry you are still. Then stop eating when you have had enough.
• Use a small plate.
• Get enough sleep – sleep deprivation can lead to over-eating.
• Forget fad diets – it is how you eat rather than what you eat that matters.
• Gradually increase the amount of exercise you take: every little helps. Maybe you could use stairs instead if the lift, walk instead of using the car, or make enough time to get off the bus one stop before your destination.

Weight Loss Diet Plans - 7 Popular Diets Plans To Choose From

Weight Loss Diet Plans - 7 Popular Diets Plans To Choose From


Weight loss diet plans are made to revolve around reducing your total calorie intake by a small amount, and then making sure the calories you do consume come in the form of a well-balanced diet consisting of good sources of protein, carbohydrate and fat.


There are many people benefit from being on a weight loss plan.  However, when choosing a diet for you, there are many things you should consider.  Are you going enjoy to enjoy the diet?  It is pretty stressful if you hate being on a diet. You cannot force yourself to eat you do not like. Losing weight is hard when you are stressed. The more you hate the food in your diet, the more you are tempted to cheat and eat your favorites.  You must also consider the health aspects of the diet you will be taking. Will you be getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need?  If not, then do not take a health risk.


Whether you are super fat or not that much, take some time to think over the diets and review thoroughly what are their advantages and disadvantages. Health should be your number one priority, so don't be too impulsive in choosing. A help from a good nutritionist is necessary. This article will help you in one way or the other to have a bird's eye view of the common weight loss diet plans you can choose:


1.    Balanced vegetarian diet




It consists of fruits, vegetables and foods that originate from plants.
Recent studies show that a vegetarian diet has a 30% lower risk of heart related diseases.
There are different vegetarian diets ranging from strictest to the lenient.
- Vegan diet foods 


Vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, grains


- Lacto-vegetarian diet foods 


Milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt


- Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet foods


Eggs only


- Flexitarian diet foods 


Occasional consumption of fish, poultry and meat.


Since there are allegations about vegetarian diet that it has nutritional deficiency, here are the nutritional guidelines so that you will know what vegetables are good to eat.


- Iron (important in the transport of oxygen to the lungs and to the different parts of the body) 


Spinach, beans, wheat, tofu, lentils, broccoli, black eye beans, potatoes.


- Calcium (responsible for bone strength) 


Alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, bamboo shoots, soy milk, soy nuts, soya beans, pickled, broccoli, mustard greens, and fortified juices.


- Vitamin B12 (it also boosts up energy aids in the production of red blood cells)


Beetroot, cabbage, brussel sprouts.


2.    Low fat diet


Fat has always been the number reason why obesity is increasing significantly these days. As such, there are many available options to choose on a low-fat diet.




Use low-fat oils (olive oil, canola oil) for cooking.
Use non-sticky pan that has been cleansed thoroughly after a deep frying session to prevent too much oil on food.
Make sure you have fresh vegetables in your diet and avoid canned goods, which are usually preserved in salt.
Eat a lot of legumes like kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyes beans and others.
Make sure that the pasta that you are buying is made from whole wheat.
Avoid salad dressings like mayonnaise and thousand island sauce, instead, opt for Worchester sauce or soya sauce for garnishing and flavor.
Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
3.    The South Beach Diet




One of the top 5 weight loss diet plans in the country today.
It never allows starvation and deprivation of foods.
It is divided into 'three phases'.
- Phase 1


It lasts for about 14 days. This is the strictest phase as there's a strict regulation on what to consume. Carbohydrates are avoided and poultry products, fish, turkey, shellfish that usually eaten with vegetables, nuts, eggs and cheese are to be eaten but in moderation. Coffee and tea is allowed but taken in moderation.


- Phase 2


This phase is much easier than the first. It will last until the desired weight is achieved. The carbohydrates rich foods that were removed from the diet are reintroduced. You can eat brown rice and whole wheat bread but not a white bread.


- Phase 3


This is the phase where your body is already adjusted to start of a way of life that you will have to adopt for a lifetime.


4. The Cabbage Soup diet




It is one of the seven days that weight loss diet plans is aiming at weight loss in a short span of time.
The diet requires consuming cabbage soup for seven days with every meal of the day.
Day 1: Cabbage soup and fruits (unlimited quantity and any fruit except for bananas)


Day 2: Cabbage soup and vegetables. A baked potato with butter for dinner is allowed.


Day 3: Cabbage soup and a combination of fruits and vegetables (except for bananas and potatoes)


Day 4: Cabbage soup, bananas and skimmed milk (maximum of 8 bananas to be consumed through the day)


Day 5: Cabbage soup and 350-500 grams beef with 6 slices of tomatoes.


Day 6: Cabbage soup, beef and vegetables (except potatoes)


Day 7: Cabbage soup, brown rice, vegetables (except potatoes) and fresh fruit juice.


5.    What is the Raw Food Diet?




The Raw Food diet allows you to consume any kind of raw food.
Raw food includes fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, fresh fruit juices, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains.
Some processing of raw foods can also be done such as blending, crushing, sprouting, soaking and juicing, provided that you will not be adding dairy products or sugar on it.
Boiling of raw foods cannot be done.
6.    Zone diet plan




The Zone diet is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, fat-controlled eating plan.
This is unlike most high-protein diets as it allows you to have a broader range of foods to be taken.
This diet believes that a human body reaches its efficiency when the body is consuming all meals with carbohydrates, proteins and fats. As such, the body will work within the zone full of energy causing weight loss.
Protein tends to make you feel full and thus helping you to avoid eating in between meals.
7.    Cookie Diet plan




The cookie is made with fiber, protein, and other ingredients intended to keep you full. 
Eat 4-6 cookies a day will give you somewhere around 500 calories.
Your dinner may consist of lean protein and vegetables.

Best Weight Loss Product on Market

Best Weight Loss Product on Market

Is there such thing as best weight loss product? Yes, of course! I'm going to show you what it is, where you can find it and how effective it is. You'll be amazed at its effectiveness and how close it is to you. Here we go.

When you feed your body cells with the essential nutrients they need, they'll help you manage your weight spontaneously - know exactly how much to burn as fuel, how much to store and how much to excrete.

Obviously, you don't eat healthily. Some overweight people thought by tossing out their sugar intake and that will be considered eating healthily. A real healthy meal comes from taking in whole natural plant-based foods rich in fiber, complex-carbohydrate and various other vital nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, etc.

These wholesome vegetarian foods will provide your body with the key nutrients it needs to perform optimally. And that is the best weight loss product for you.

However, do not fall into the trap of any weight loss products that promise you to lose 9 pounds in 11 days or 7 - 15 pounds in one week or lose 30 pounds in 30 days sort of stuff.

These products main purpose is to help you lose weight - you'll lose more water mass initially which makes you lose weight as a whole, but which in fact your body fat content remains intact. Remember, your goal is to get rid of the ugly fat, not water.

Also, when you can only stick to just that list of food, very soon your body will respond negatively due to nutrient deprivation, which in turn will make you give up on them for the sake of good health. Of course, if you force yourself to stick to them, your body suffers more damages as a result.

Worse is, once you stop them, your weight quickly bounces back.

Besides, rapid weight loss can result in loose skin which will make you look even worse than before you lose the weight.

Your best bet would be to learn the healthy way to lose weight - pick up a vegetarian weight loss diet that promotes both effective fat loss and health. If you do that, you'll not get any embarrassing side effects like loose skin, yet get to reduce to the shape you desire and get to keep your health at its tiptop level forever.

So now you know where to find the best weight loss product? The wholesome plant-based diet you eat and the active lifestyle you lead, that is.

Zumba For Weight Loss

Zumba For Weight Loss

In the last few years a new dance and fitness craze has swept through our nation, and this new dance-fitness program is called Zumba. But what exactly is Zumba, why has it become so popular and can it really help you to lose weight?

What Exactly Is Zumba?

Zumba is an aerobic fitness workout that combines Latin dance with vibrant music. The music changes rhythm during a session to give you a total body workout. Dancing to fast paced music will obviously provide a cardiovascular workout that raises your heart rate and burns plenty of calories, while the slower music numbers allow you to focus on movement, stretching and flexibility.

The Origins Of Zumba

Zumba has become very popular in the last few years, but its roots can be traced back to one fateful day in the mid 1990's when Zumba was created by accident! A fitness instructor from Columbia called Alberto Perez turned up to take an aerobics class without his regular backing tape. He did however find a tape in his bag which was full of the Latin dance music he loved. The class loved working out to the energetic music (letting themselves be guided by the music) and Zumba was born, Alberto was then inspired on to design a fitness program built around Latin music and dance, Zumba was born. Today it is practised in over 100 countries in around 100 000 locations.

Losing Weight With Zumba

A lot of people struggle to exercise on a regular basis, finding it rather boring and a bit of a chore. if you don't enjoy doing something, then it is very difficult to stay motivated to keep doing it on a regular basis. If your long term goal is to lose weight and keep it off, then exercise needs to be a regular part of your lifestyle.

The secret to Zumba's success and the reasons why it is so popular, is down to the fact it is a really energetic fat burning exercise workout and it is a lot of fun.

Here are some reasons why losing weight with Zumba is a great idea: -

Its an energetic and fast-paced cardiovascular workout.

You can burn over 500 calories an hour.

Great way to meet new friends through attending classes.

It can be done at home with a DVD.

It provides a full body workout that uses lots of different muscle groups.

Tones muscles and improves flexibility.

It may even improve your dancing!

Three sessions of Zumba a week will turn you into a lean, mean grooving machine, use Zumba for weight loss and have a great time while you are doing it.

Lose Weight With A Vegetarian Weight Loss Plan

For some individuals, when they would like to shed excess weight they tend to do a certain diet program. There are many plans that can assist you to slim down such as the high protein diet plan and vegetarian diet. Typically a plan that is dependent on fruits and vegetables is preferred by a lot of people simply because they know it will offer many more advantages than the one based on meat. However, if you want to choose the vegetarian way, you will need to know specific tricks so that you'll reduce your weight instead of increasing it.

One aspect you need to follow with this kind of diet plan is a vegetarian weight loss menu with balanced calories. Apart from the menu itself, you additionally will need to add daily exercise so that you can burn the extra fat properly. These two issues are the secret to achieving your objective. Related to the balanced menu, there's the vegetarian pyramid that you can base your meals on in managing your every day menu plan.

In establishing the most beneficial foods for a vegetarian diet, dietitians generally divide foods into 5 different groups which are milk, grains, fruit, vegetables, and meat replacements. The reason why you will need meat substitutes is simply because if you do not consume meat, you will need to have another source of good protein to preserve your health. If you do not, it could slow down your metabolic rate.

Figuring out what to eat just isn't enough since you also have to have a few vegetarian weight loss guidelines to help you get the most out of this type of diet. These tips reveal what to eat, what to do and what to avoid. Though this type of diet plan is thought to be better than the types based on animal proteins, there are actually particular items you need to stay away from such as cheese and mayonnaise. Both cheese and mayonnaise include high amounts of fat.

As substitutes for sugar and fat, it is possible to add various other safe foods like whole wheat bread as well as oats or rice. These particular foods are a whole lot better than vegetarian pizza with cheese. In addition to being careful of the food types you select, these tips in addition encourage you to examine each and every label on the foods you eat because sometimes some products include additional fat to take the place of the lack of protein and meat flavor.

The final tip when you want to use a vegetarian weight loss program for your regular diet is to remember to consume fruits and vegetables. Both of these contain lots of fiber that will help with weight loss. Ensure that you follow your daily menu plan. Be certain you additionally combine your foods correctly to make sure you get ample protein.

Consistency Is Key To Natural Weight Loss

There are huge numbers of weight loss methods and products on the market. Weight loss continues to be a popular goal, yet one that is rarely achieved in our society. While there are certainly extreme measures like surgery and drugs that can promote weight loss, these methods come with significant risks and drawbacks, which is why many people continually seek out and try more natural weight loss approaches.

Ultimately, natural weight loss comes down to some combination of diet and exercise. Although many approaches favor one or the other, the reality is that both diet and exercise are equally important and weight loss occurs much more rapidly with a combined approach. Many weight loss aids, including some reasonably safe natural weight loss products, can improve the overall effects of diet and exercise, but they really cannot be considered a substitute for changing your eating habits and engaging in more physical activity.

There is much debate as to what works and what doesn't. On the diet front, some will proclaim Atkin's and other low or no carbohydrate approaches to be the only effective diet strategy. Others may insist that calorie restriction is the way to go. Still others may insist on the low-fat approach. The fact of the matter is that all of these diet systems work at least some of the time.

As with diet, there is considerable debate as to what exercise approach works best for weight loss. Some say you have to do high intensity"interval training". Some favor the long-time, low- intensity aerobic approach. Still others say any increase in any kind of physical activity works just fine. Again, all of these appoaches work at least for some people.

Various recent research studies into the vast array of weight loss approaches has come to a rather interesting conclusion: All weight loss approaches that are based on physiologically-sound principles seem to have about the same statistical success rate. Some recent studies have shown that the biggest determining factor in the success or failure of any weight loss program is... whether or not the person sticks to the program long-term.

It has been my experience in clinical practice that very few people stick to ANY weight loss plan (at least natural weight loss plans - not some type of weight loss drug) for more than about two weeks straight. Yes, some may stay on a weight loss plan for several months, but most are not consistent over that period of time. The majority of those trying to lose weight will start off well for the first few days, but then something will come up and they get off track for a few (or more) days, and then continue going through and on again, off again cycle. The times when they are off the program largely negate whatever progress they make while they are on the program.

Based on my experience with people trying to lose weight, the biggest factor in losing weight is not the diet or exercise the person is doing, it's the person's consistency with whatever he or she is doing. Consistency with a natural weight loss plan, including diet and exercise is highly dependent on one's ability to stay motivated and focusd on achieving one's weight loss goals. In other words, if you're going to lose weight and keep it off, you MUST get control of your mind so that you can have sufficient motivation and will-power to stick to the weight loss plan.

Developing motivation and will-power requires more than just deciding to lose weight. It is necessary for you to be able to resist any temptations that would pull you off course and interfere with your follow-through on whatever weight loss program you choose to do. Sadly, the majority of people are lacking an innate capacity to effectively avoid temptation and it is far too easy for many people who try to lose weight to quickly lose momentum and stray from their weight loss plans. For this reason, I recommend using a variety of mental conditioning techniques BEFORE one begins a natural weight loss plan. By preparing the mind in advance, one is far more able to resist temptation and stay sufficiently motivated to stick to the plan.

Among the most useful techniques I have found for this purpose include Neuro-Linguistic Progamming, Neuro-Associative Conditioning (developed by Anthony Robbins), various forms of self-hypnosis, the Sedona Method, Emotional Freedom Technique, and simply taking the time to clearly identify one's reasons for wanting to lose weight in the first place. By using any or all of these methods, temptation can be largely eliminated and one is able to stick with his or her diet and/or exercise program long-term, which allows for consistent weight loss and maintenance of one's weight once the goal is achieved.

Weight Loss Diet - 6 Powerful Weight Loss Diet Tips

Everyone knows that most people would like to lose weight, but most don't seem to know the best way to lose weight. To start seeing differences, you have to make some changes in your habit and lifestyle.

Let me share a few very vital weight loss statistics Before I start:

- 64 percent of people in the United States are overweight - Obesity is responsible for 325,000 deaths every year. Alright as you can see Weight Management is a huge Problem in the United States, So we are constantly searching for that miracle drug to help us with weight loss diet.

You may not want to hear, it but it's true - there is no magic spell when it comes to losing weight. However, there are some things that you can do in order to lose fat as quickly as possible.

Here are Six great weight loss tips:

If you favour the traditional route of diet and exercise, then the following tips given below should work greatly to help with weight lose diet:-

1. Eliminate Eating Junk Food.

Most of your efforts to reduce your weight will be unsuccessful of you are unable resist eating junk and processed foods. These primarily consist of fast foods and snack foods such as burgers, pizza, fries, potato chips etc. All of these foods offer very poor nutritional value and it consequently makes no sense at all to carry on eating them. Keep in mind - you will not be able to physically improve on an insufficient diet. You must look carefully at the contents of your cupboard, fridge and freezer and make certain that you switch all sugary and greasy foods with nourishing, healthy alternatives.

2. Drink a Lot of Water- Although you may have heard it over and over again, it is really true. Drinking water not only replenishes your system but also promotes weight loss. How is that possible? Well, as we all know, water is a fluid that directly passes your colon, so drinking water can flush away those toxins and unwanted fats. Drink at least 8 glasses a day for best results.

Water is essential to life and a healthy body. Dehydration will wreak havoc on you and your fitness goals. If you are dehydrated your body cannot function at its optimal level. For example, your muscles will loose strength, you won't burn fat as quickly, and you'll feel tired and fatigued.

3. Reduce the Size of Your Portions-

You should eat five or six small portions each day at regular intervals of about 4 - 5 hours. This will aid appetite suppression and boost your rate of metabolism, causing you to burn additional fat without the need for too much physical effort.

4. Lower Your Calorie Consumption Without Deprivation. Do this by steadily reducing the amount of calories that you get through by a small quantity each day. This will tot up very quickly, but be aware that you will not start to lose weight until you reach the point at which you are expending a more calories than you eat each day. This incremental approach will help to cut down snacking and binging, which would clearly put you straight back where you began.

5. You Want to Start Exercising Regularly-

This doesn't need to be anything excessive, but simply put: working out is almost certainly the most effective way to lose weight and enhance your general heath. Diets by themselves may assist you with losing some weight, but they are not able to improve your stamina, physical fitness, flexibility, mental state and help you achieve numerous other benefits in the way that regular exercise can.

Additionally, exercise is another technique to increase your metabolism, which, once more, helps you to burn off additional fat in less time.

6. Sleep Well- Practice a Good Night Sleep

Sleeping is a favorite quick weight loss tip since it is one of the most effortless. Do not understand the power of having enough sleep. It is vital to your overall weight loss plan. Medical research has proven that sleep deprivation would induce hunger, and improve appetite. This often results in excessive eating. Likewise, having sufficient sleep of at least 8 hours helps to bring a balance to the leptin level and aids weight loss.

There you have the Building block to A Permanent Weight Loss.

There are many ways in which an individual can choose to lose weight. The problem is that diet, and exercise alone for some people still isn't enough, and may leave them struggling to reach their weight loss goals. For many people changing their diet, exercising, and taking nutritional supplements or weight loss products in combination can be the perfect answer to lose weight.

One such supplement is acai for weight loss. Acai is a form of berry that is found in the Amazon, and holds tremendous antioxidant properties. It is also used to increase energy levels, and to improve digestive health. Acai can also help to prevent free radical damage, and diseases like cancer, heart disease, and premature aging. It's the combination of all of these benefits that make acai for weight loss a great option for individuals who need extra assistance.

Acai for weight loss in conjunction with good eating habits, and an exercise routine can be a fast, and healthy way to lose weight. For many, speeding up the process in which they lose weight can help them to feel motivated, and offer them the confidence that they need in order to make the entire weight loss process an easy mental endeavor to embark upon.

One such weight loss product that uses acai is called Acai Berry Select. This is actually offered as a free trial, and is a great way to improve health, and also help to promote healthy weight loss.

Acai berry select can help you lose weight when used as part of a diet and exercise routine-Acai berry contains huge amounts of antioxidants that help to flush the body of toxins, and is most likely the healthiest supplement on the market today.-Acai berry select helps you"lose weight and flush the pounds"

Thanks to a great mixture of healthy weight loss ingredients Acai Berry Select is our top choice for an Acai berry weight loss supplement

My name is Maria Avalos and since 1992 I have been helping people just like you lose weight and create a wonderful revolution in their lives.

If you are truly serious about losing weight please make sure to read every word on this page. Then go ahead and get some Weight loss Diet Supplement.

Online Feedback May Boost Weight-Loss Success

TUESDAY, Nov. 2 ( HealthDay News ) -- Providing feedback to users of online weight-loss programs can improve the outcomes for participants, a new study has found.

The study included 179 people taking part in Shape Up RI, an annual online 12-week community weight-loss competition in Rhode Island. The average body mass index (BMI) of the participants was 34, which is classified as obese.

In one arm of the study, volunteers were assigned to the standard Shape Up RI program or to the program plus extra video lessons on weight loss. In the other study arm, participants were in either the standard Shape Up RI or the standard program plus video lessons, self-monitoring of weight, eating and exercise, and computer-generated feedback.

In the first study arm, adding just the video lessons did not lead to any significant increase in weight loss, an average of 3.1 pounds. In the second study arm, the addition of all three strategies led to an average weight loss of 7.7 pounds, the researchers found.

The number of participants who lost 5 percent or more of their body weight was more than three times higher in the second study arm -- 40.5 percent versus 13.2 percent, according to the report.

"The addition of videos alone did lead to a small increase in weight loss, but the combination of the three strategies produced much better outcomes," lead author Rena Wing, of the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, said in a Center for Advancing Health news release.

"This finding would suggest that education about diet and activity changes alone is important, but not sufficient," she added.

The study appears online and in the December print issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Weight-Loss Surgery Can Be Effective Despite Depression

WEDNESDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- Being depressed doesn't reduce the effectiveness of weight loss surgery, a new study finds.

University of Michigan researchers analyzed data from more than 25,469 patients who had weight loss surgery and found that patients who were depressed or depression-free before the surgery all lost nearly 60 percent of their excess weight within one year. They also reported an average 30 percent improvement in quality of life, including greater mobility, social interactions, family life and independent living.

Patients with depression did have a higher rate of minor complications (4 percent versus 3.3 percent), but there were no significant differences in major complications between the two groups. (The average rate of major complications from weight loss surgery is 4 percent.)

The study also found that the use of antidepressants by patients who had depression decreased by about 20 percent (from 72 percent to 60 percent of patients) one year after weight loss surgery and remained at that level after three years of follow-up.

The study was slated for presentation Wednesday at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

"Depression and anxiety are relatively common among those with chronic diseases like obesity andtype 2 diabetes, and these conditions can sometimes interfere with treatment," lead author Dr. Jonathan F. Finks, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Michigan, said in an ASMBS news release.

"This study suggests bariatric patients suffering from depression can experience health outcomes and quality of life improvements comparable to non-depressed patients. However, doctors and patients still need to consider psychological issues, state of mind and commitment to lifestyle changes after surgery in assessing whether bariatric surgery is appropriate and indicated for any particular patient," he added.

Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the findings should be viewed as preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Experimental Weight-Loss Drug Seems to Work: Study

SUNDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Obese patients taking a high dose of an investigational weight-loss pill called Qnexa lost an average of 22 pounds over a year, while also lowering their cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, a new study has found.Qnexa is a combination of two medications: phentermine, the most widely used weight-loss drug in the United States, currently available under a variety of brand names as well as a generic; and topiramate (Topamax), best known as a drug used to ease epilepsy and migraine.Qnexa was recently turned down as a weight-loss aid by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, because there was not enough data on the risk of birth defects and heart problems related to the drug. Topiramate has been linked to an increased risk for cleft lip/palate in babies born to women who took the drug.The results of the new study, which was funded by Vivus, Qnexa's maker, suggest that "the combination of topiramate and phentermine when administered with some lifestyle counseling could be a valuable treatment for obesity," said lead researcher Dr. Kishore Gadde, an assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the obesity clinical trials program at Duke University Medical Center.One reason for the significant weight-loss is that these drugs work by different mechanisms, Gadde said. "In a treatment, [with] the more mechanisms you have there is a greater likelihood of achieving the kind of weight loss we are hoping for, in a large proportion of patients," he said.In addition, the combination of drugs may alter the side effect profile for each drug, he speculated. "The thinking behind the combination of the drugs is that some of the side effects could actually cancel out," Gadde said. "Topiramate causes fatigue, and phentermine is a stimulant, so they could be negating the side effects of each other."Topiramate can also cause mood changes, while phentermine is more uplifting, he added.The report is published in the April 11 online edition of The Lancet.In this multicenter trial, called CONQUER, Gadde's team randomly assigned almost 2,500 overweight and obese men and women to diet and exercise counseling alone or to counseling alongside once-daily low- or high-dose Qnexa in pill form. Low-dose Qnexa contained 7.5 milligrams (mg) of phentermine and 46 mg topiramate, while the high-dose pill contained 15 mg of phentermine and 92 mg of topiramate.After 56 weeks, patients on either dose of Qnexa had lost significantly more weight than those who only took part in the counseling program, the researchers found.Those not taking the combo drug had an average weight-loss of 3 pounds, compared with 18 pounds for those on low-dose Qnexa and 22 pounds for those on the high-dose Qnexa.Moreover, while 21 percent of those in the counseling program alone lost at least 5 percent of their weight, that number rose to 62 percent of those on low-dose Qnexa and 70 percent for those on the high-dose regimen.In addition, people taking Qnexa saw reductions in their blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, triglycerides (a blood fat) and blood sugar levels, Gadde's group found.The ideal candidates for this treatment are obese and overweight people whose weight is affecting their health, Gadde said."When you are looking for weight-loss in patients, it shouldn't be for cosmetic reasons," he said. "An ideal candidate for weight-loss is someone that has obesity-related [health] risks."Gadde noted that the weight-loss seen in the first year of the trial was maintained in the second year of the trial.Side effects did occur in some patients, and were especially common at the higher dose. In those taking high-dose Qnexa, the most common side effects were dry mouth (21 percent), paresthesia, or a feeling of "pins and needles" (21 percent), constipation (17 percent), insomnia, dizziness and distorted taste (10 percent each).Paresthesia is a common side effect of phentermine, Gadde noted, while the other side effects are most likely associated with topiramate.An increased risk of depression and anxiety was also noted in those taking the drugs, seeming to increase as the dosage given rose. About twice the number of people in the high-dose drug groups dropped out of the trial compared to people receiving counseling alone, the researchers noted."If you see side effects like depression and anxiety, you need to be more careful," Gadde said. "You don't give these drugs to someone who is clinically depressed," he added.According to Gadde, there were no birth defects among any of the babies born to the 34 women who became pregnant while taking Qnexa in this trial.Ashley Buford, a spokeswoman for Vivus, said the company is hoping to resubmit its application for approval of topiramate to the FDA by the end of the year.Commenting on the study, obesity expert Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, said that "this study shows what we had cause to believe before: that Qnexa facilitates weight loss beyond office-based counseling alone, as long as people are taking the drug."However, the weight loss may be unlikely to persist if use of the drug stops, he said."In addition, we don't yet know if Qnexa is safe for long-term, or even lifelong use, and thus cannot yet say whether it is safe and useful for long-term weight control," Katz said. "Other drugs that have facilitated weight loss in the short term have failed to translate to safe and effective long-term use. This is the bar a truly useful weight-loss drug will need to clear," he said.