Highlights

Cancer and Weight Control:

• Cancer prevention guidelines from the American Cancer Society stress the importance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout life. A healthy weight is even more important than eating specific healthy foods, when it comes to cancer prevention.

Drug Warning:

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to buy a product known as the "Brazilian diet pill." This product is labeled as a dietary supplement, but contains several chemicals found in powerful prescription drugs. The products are also known as Emagrece Sim and Herbathin dietary supplements.

New Over-the-Counter Medication:

• In February 2007, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss drug. Orlistat, previously available only by prescription as Xenical, will be available OTC at half its prescription strength. It will be sold under the name alli. Those eager to use the new pill should consider its cost and modest benefits compared with its side effects, most commonly oily diarrhea. This pill, which prevents fat absorption from food, also increases the risk of not absorbing important nutrients from food while using it. The FDA recommends taking a daily multivitamin supplement when using alli.

Research News:

• A small study in Norway found that a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates ("carbs") increases symptoms of psychological distress, such as depression and anger. The study compared three different diets with varying amounts of fat and carbohydrates.
• A study released in March 2007 found that obesity in young girls results in early puberty -- as early as age 9.

Effects of Obesity on the Body:

• Obesity is associated with certain problems related to infertility, such as uterine fibroids or menstrual irregularities. In men, obesity can contribute to reduced testosterone levels.
• People who are obese are at higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome and other problems involving nerves in their wrists and hands.
• The Pickwickian syndrome, named for an overweight character in a Dickens novel, occurs in severe obesity when lack of oxygen produces intense and chronic sleepiness and, eventually, heart failure.

Review Date: 12/21/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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