In particular, researchers have uncovered potential risks for liver damage for one specific ingredient found in the majority of weight loss drugs. Known as “orlistat,” this drug is flying off the shelves under the over-the-counter brand name “Alli.” In addition, orlistat is also available as a prescription drug called “Xenical.” And while rare, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 13 separate reports of consumers developing severe liver damage after taking the drug. However, it should be noted that 12 of these cases were reported to have occurred overseas.

Rare, But Serious Health Risks Reported
But while there have been few US-based cases, the agency still wants to get the warning out to consumers. It’s estimated that about 40 million people worldwide are currently taking orlistat in some form. And while the risk is low, the FDA wants to spread the word about any potential drug-related side effects.

The agency has not determined if orlistat is actually responsible for liver damage. They do suspect that any side effects may be related to how patients metabolize the drug, as well as their health risks (if any). According to Dr. Eugene Schiff, director of the Center for Liver Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the drugs may have been exposed to some contamination.

“We are telling consumers and health-care providers to be vigilant should [patients] develop symptoms suggestive of liver impairment,” stated FDA spokeswoman Elaine Gansz Bobo. “We are not advising routine monitoring of liver enzymes as that will not help predict who may develop hepatic impairment on the drug. We were unable to identify any particular group that may be at increased risk.”

For these 13 most recent orlistat-related cases reported to the FDA, they “were cases that, on review and categorization by the agency, received severity scores of 4 or 5 using the Drug Induced Liver Injury Network scoring system,” stated Gansz Bobo. “Basically, a ‘5’ means resulting in death or liver transplantation, and a ‘4’ means it was severe and required hospitalization.” In addition, Gansz Bobo said that in regard to these “cases of significance,” the FDA determined that they were either “likely” or “possibly” related to the use of orlistat.

A History of FDA Research
In 1999, orlistat was first approved by the FDA as a prescription medicine. Then, in 2007, the drug became the first non-prescription drug approved to treat adult obesity in the United States. In August 2009, the agency began a review of orlistat in regard to possible liver damage incidents.

This announcement came after 32 cases of serious liver injury were reported between 1999 and October 2008; two of these occurred in the United States. The majority of these patients reported cases involving typical signs of liver damage, such as jaundice, weakness and abdominal pain. Twenty-seven patients had symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. Today, orlistat is approved in about 100 countries.

So what should be done if you’re taking orlistat? Above all else, patients should see their healthcare professional if and when they develop dark urine, itching or yellow skin or eyes.

There’s no denying it that childhood obesity is a growing concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that the levels have more than tripled over the past 30 years! For children between the ages of 6 and 11, obesity rates have increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. Even worse, one in five American teenagers has been shown to have abnormal cholesterol levels, and therefore, higher risks for heart disease. Plus, children and teenagers are consistently being diagnosed with obesity-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.

The First Lady Takes the Cause to the People

As such, it’s understandable that Michelle Obama would choose childhood obesity as her cause. In her efforts to spotlight obesity, she has embarked on a tour to discuss this healthcare situation, and her personal issues related to the situation. For instance, she mentions that while her children were diagnosed as being overweight, and later body mass index (BMI) scores confirmed these findings. So, Michelle made effective changes to her children’s diets and exercise regimes, resulting in healthy weight loss.

However, while the First lady’s efforts were ultimately successful, she did experience some criticism. Some people mistakenly believed that the children were put on calorie-restrictive “starvation” diets; this was proven to be untrue. Rather, she ensured that her daughters followed physician-approved guidelines, such as consuming healthy food in moderate portions, reducing their intake of sugary drinks, and eating more fruits and vegetables. The children also watched less television and exercised more.

Many felt that the First Lady overlooked such weight-related health issues as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. But it was pointed out that these conditions typically target normal-weight individuals, and not the obese; they’re usually diagnosed in only about 1-2% of the population. Obesity and its related conditions are far more prevalent than anorexia at all ages, and represent a much bigger threat for children and teenagers.

As a result, healthcare professionals — and the First Lady — believe that it’s much more dangerous and misguided to avoid telling children and teenagers that they’re overweight and/or obese, for fear of hurting their feelings. There’s even research to back this up: it’s been shown that about 90% of teens feel good about themselves. Meanwhile, less than 25% of Americans are dieting at any given time, while two-thirds are overweight or obese.

In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, New York University researchers focused on about 50 girls and boys ages 14-17. The findings of the study revealed that the subjects demonstrated significant decreases in both total and “android fat” mass 2 years after surgery. “Android fat,” or abdominal obesity, has been associated with the development of obesity-related illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and insulin resistance.

Benefits for Weight Loss & Overall health
The researchers found that undergoing Lap band surgery effectively improved glucose metabolism. In turn, this then reduced the teenage subjects’ risks for developing insulin resistance. The researchers also found that as the surgery had no impact on bone mineral density, bone growth was not affected.

“This study is the first to demonstrate the improvements in overall health and distribution of weight loss after Lap band surgery in adolescents,” said Evan Nadler, MD, the lead author. “While weight-loss surgery should always be a last resort for adults and adolescents, these findings show us that surgery in adolescents reduces the risk of significant health complications.”

SOURCE: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbidly Obese Adolescents Affects Android Fat Loss, Resolution of Comorbidities, and Improved Metabolic Status. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2009; 209 (5): 638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.07.022

In a published study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario found that food addiction may be responsible for some individuals’ struggles with their weight.

“The concept of addiction is complex, and the delineation of its defining characteristics has fostered considerable debate, states Dr. Valerie Taylor, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at McMaster, and director of the Bariatric Surgery Psychiatry Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “Despite a lack of consensus, researchers nevertheless agree that the process involves a compulsive pattern of use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences.”

Similarities Shared By Other Addictions
The researchers emphasize that like other addictive behaviors, such as drugs, food can cause a tolerance. It can also lead to increases in the amounts required to achieve intoxication or satiety. They noted that food addiction may result in withdrawal symptoms, such as mood changes that occur when dieting. Patients who have undergone weight loss surgery may exhibit addictive behavior, as well.

The authors mention that addictive behavior can’t take all of the blame, as these men and women still have free will and personal choice. They state: “The current ‘blame’ mentality that is often applied to individuals with obesity needs to be re-examined. Although medicine may not yet accept compulsive overeating as an addiction, we cannot ignore evidence highlighting the role played by biologic vulnerability and environmental triggers.”

Nevertheless, the researchers feel that this addictive behavior does help to illustrate the struggle to live with and overcome obesity. As such, the researchers believe that traditional therapies may also be applied to food addiction.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174694.php

Being overweight or obese is difficult enough for adults, but for children and adolescents, it can be especially harmful, both for now and in years to come. However, new research offers hope that one type of surgery, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap band), may greatly improve the health of teenagers struggling with morbid obesity.

In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, New York University researchers focused on about 50 girls and boys ages 14-17. The findings of the study revealed that the subjects demonstrated significant decreases in both total and “android fat” mass 2 years after surgery. “Android fat,” or abdominal obesity, has been associated with the development of obesity-related illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and insulin resistance.

Benefits for Weight Loss & Overall Health
The researchers found that undergoing Lap band surgery effectively improved glucose metabolism. In turn, this then reduced the teenage subjects’ risks for developing insulin resistance. The researchers also found that as the surgery had no impact on bone mineral density, bone growth was not affected.

“This study is the first to demonstrate the improvements in overall health and distribution of weight loss after Lap band surgery in adolescents,” said Evan Nadler, MD, the lead author. “While weight-loss surgery should always be a last resort for adults and adolescents, these findings show us that surgery in adolescents reduces the risk of significant health complications.”

SOURCE: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbidly Obese Adolescents Affects Android Fat Loss, Resolution of Comorbidities, and Improved Metabolic Status. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2009; 209 (5): 638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.07.022

There’s no denying that weight concerns and obesity are big issues for millions of Americans today. But even as these men and women do their best to eat healthy and work out, the pounds stay on, and the frustration grows. But what if you don’t even know that you need to lose weight? As hard to believe as it may seem, a new study illustrates that many people are not even aware that they’re overweight or obese! And this is actually a very serious matter …

Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas discovered that of their participants, all of whom are considered “obese,” one in 10 expressed satisfaction with their body size. And, they didn’t think they needed to lose any weight at all. But while this positive self-image is good for mental and emotional health, it can lead to deadly consequences for physical health.

According to lead researcher Tiffany Powell, a cardiology fellow, those obese individuals who don’t know or accept that they are may avoid healthy diets and exercise. As such, they’re at increased risk for cardiovascular health problems, such as increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).

The Role of Body Mass Index

In the study, the researchers focused on 2,056 obese individuals, with an average age of about 40. The participants reviewed nine different sex-specific figures, and then selected both the image they thought they looked like and their ideal figure. The figures showed outlines of bodies; the first was the slimmest figure and the images increased up to the ninth and largest). About 8% of the participants thought their body size was smaller than it really was. On average, they felt that their bodies looked like a 4 on the figure scale, while their ideal body size was about 5. Meanwhile, the other participants selected an average of 6 for current body size and under a 4 for their ideal image.

Those participants who were unaware that they were obese had an average body mass index (BMI) of nearly 35. The other participants had BMIs of nearly 37. BMI scores take into account a person’s weight and height and indicate body fatness and weight categories. A BMI score of 30 or above is considered “obese”; 25 to 29.9 “overweight”; 18.5 to 24.9 “normal”; and below 18.5 is considered “underweight.” Among the study’s findings:

• For those who were unaware of or satisfied with their weight issues, 44% had not visited a doctor in the past year; 26% of those who recognized their weight issues did visit a doctor in that time period.
• When the satisfied/unaware group visited the doctor, nearly 40% said that their doctor mentioned the need for weight loss; 70% of the aware group reported the same.
• The satisfied/obese group admitted not exercising on average, while the other group exercised regularly.
• Among the satisfied/unaware group, 35% had high blood pressure, 15% had high cholesterol, 14% had diabetes, and 27% were current smokers.

Becoming Educated About Healthy Weight

As for why some people are unaware of or satisfied with their weight, the researchers believe that it may be due to a lack of education.  “A larger cause may be cultural beliefs and acceptance of obesity as the norm when most around you are obese,” stated Powell. “I think as obesity becomes more prevalent and people around you are larger you reset what is acceptable.”

Powell also noted that African Americans and Hispanics were significantly more likely than whites to be satisfied with their body size. These groups were also more likely to feel that weight loss was unnecessary.  “We’re seeing more prevalence in minority populations because obesity is more prevalent in those groups. I think as a society as all of us become larger we reset what we think of as a healthy body size.”

So what can be done? The researchers believe that it is the job of both physicians and communities as a whole to get involved, and help these obese individuals to make efforts to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Powell adds: “We have to tell people regardless of whether they bring it up that they are obese and they need to lose weight, and they need to change their dietary habits and they need to work on physical activity.”
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091117/sc_livescience/theobesedontalwaysknowit

Here’s another reason why maintaining a healthy weight is so important. Recent studies illustrate that for adolescent women, carrying excess pounds may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. As such, healthcare professionals are encouraging young women to follow diets low in fat and calories, while engaging in regular exercise.

According to a landmark study published in Neurology, women who were obese at 18 years old had double the likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) at some point in her lifetime. This study was actually the first to connect MS and obesity, the researched stated.

Explaining Multiple Sclerosis

A disease targeting the central nervous system, MS is thought to affect as many as 500,000 Americans, with an estimated 10,000 new cases being diagnosed annually.  Although MS is typically not fatal, it is a chronic condition with no cure, as of yet. The disease’s symptoms may include: dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, sexual dysfunction, incontinence, shakiness, loss of coordination, and weakness. The disease is actually very rare, especially for women; there is a 1 in 100 risk of developing the condition (women have a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer).

For this study, the researchers observed more than 200,000 female subjects enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II, which covered a 40- year period. These subjects were asked questions regarding weight, height, body size, smoking and exercise habits, and disease status. In the study, 593 cases of MS were diagnosed.

Above all else, there was no connection established between the risk of MS and having a large body size, whether at ages 5 and 10 or as an adult. However, if a woman was obese at age 18, the risk for MS more than doubled. Those women with a large body size at age 20 were shown to have a 96% increased risk for developing MS.

Exposing the Study’s Limitations

Despite the study’s findings, the researchers do caution that further research is required. While these findings were only applicable to white women, the researchers believe that the boys would show similar results. However, they do believe that racial differences may play a role in MS, especially for African Americans and Asians, who have a lower incidence of MS. This genetic protection may be “stronger than obesity would be at increasing their risk,” stated study co-author Dr. Kassandra L. Munger of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

In addition, the researchers emphasize that for MS, weight is not the most significant risk factor. The three top ranking risks are all environmental: infection with the Epstein Barr virus, vitamin D deficiency, and cigarette smoking.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091120/hl_nm/us_obesity_adolescence

No matter the state of your own weight, you probably look at football players as the pinnacle of good health. After all, these gridiron heroes ARE athletes, so they must be in excellent shape, right? Well, new research suggests that a growing number of college and professional players are actually obese, and may be at risk for life-threatening health conditions!

Specifically, Ohio State University researchers discovered that only one type of player — Division I college football linemen – were found to be obese. Their findings were published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. These players were also found to be at greater risk for obesity-related conditions, including: pre-diabetes and diabetes, and various cardiovascular threats, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

College & Pro Players Coping With Weight Issues

In addition, other studies show that retired National Football League (NFL) linemen are more at risk for metabolic syndrome. This is a group of medical disorders related to obesity that may increase risks for diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. These retired NFL linemen were found to be more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than other retired NFL players.

Over the course of the study, the researchers focused on 90 Ohio State University players, encompassing all positions. The researchers examined the body fat levels and other health measures of the players, who had an average age of 20 and weight of 232 pounds. Those players with body fat levels of 25% or more were considered “obese.”

Body Mass Index Not the Best Indicator

Normally, obesity is measured with the body mass index (BMI), which measures obesity in terms of height and weight. But as the BMI doesn’t take into account muscle vs. fat, a big factor in the size and weight of football players, the researchers used the percentage of body fat as a measurement tool. The Ohio State University researchers split the subjects into three groups: offensive and defensive linemen; receivers and defensive backs; and linebackers, quarterbacks, punters and kickers. The findings showed:

Cutting Down on “Bulking Up”

It’s been observed that football players, and especially linemen, whether they’re playing in high school, college or professionally, are getting bigger all the time. Unfortunately, this bulking up may lead to serious health threats later on. As such, health care representatives and nutritional experts are getting involved. These players “have to be big, but they don’t have to be over-fat. The goal is to put on lean mass. … A bigger, leaner athlete also moves more quickly than an athlete whose bulk is mostly fat,” states Leslie Bonci, a registered dietitian who works with the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bonci adds: “Many would benefit from a ‘calorie cap.’”  By this, she means that these players must learn what, when and how much to eat. “Gone are the days of heavily marbled meats, fried chicken. … Now there’s a lot more grilled chicken, fish, ground turkey, flank steak and oven-fried instead of deep-frying. So players can keep their mass but have less jiggle.”

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-12-02-fatfootballplayers02_ST_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

You want to lose weight, right? So, you painstakingly watch every calorie you consume, and you shop for and plan your meals down to the last detail. But how can you be sure that what you’re eating is good for you waistline? What if your diet is actually making things worse? Well, new research may help to shed some light on the weight loss dilemma.

Researchers have found that two diets may offer the best results for healthy, long-lasting weight management. The study’s results, which were published in Archives of Internal Medicine, spotlight the benefits of both high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets (like the Atkins program) AND low-fat, high-carb diets.

A Bounty of Weight Management Benefits

The researchers found that that subjects following these two plans – all of whom consumed about the same amount of calories — experienced significant weight loss over the course of one year. According to the study’s author, Grant D. Brinkworth, both plans may offer valuable benefits.

“Both an energy-reduced, very low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet and a conventional high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet are equally effective for achieving weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. In addition, he stated that both plans showed similar effects for cognitive processes, such as working memory and speed of processing. However, the low-fat diet was more effective for long-term improvement in mood.

A Potential Cause for Celebration

Nevertheless, healthcare professionals are very excited about the study’s findings. “This study looked at one factor, and prior studies haven’t focused on psychological factors,” said Dr. Ewald Horvath, interim chairman of psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “This is a great study focusing on something very important.” The majority of health care organizations, such as the American Heart Association, typically advocate higher-carb, low-fat diets, rather than the high-fat alternatives that the overweight and obese prefer.

The study focused on 106 overweight and obese adults, with an average age of 50. These subjects were randomly assigned to the low-calorie, low-carb, high-fat plan or the high-carb, low-fat diet, for a full year. For both diets, the daily calories were restricted to about 1,433 to 1,672.

At the end of the year, it was shown that the subjects lost an average of 30.2 pounds, in both groups. As for mood, both groups showed improvements after eight weeks, but only those in the low-fat group maintained these benefits.
While the reason for this not known, it may be due to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a role in mood. It’s been found that higher amounts of carbs may increase serotonin concentrations in the brain. Meanwhile, higher amounts of fat and protein may reduce concentrations.

The researchers believe that a negative mood may promote overeating. Therefore, they recommend consuming a very low-carbohydrate diet, for longer than one year, as this may help to maintain good dietary habits and weight loss maintenance.

SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20091110/hl_hsn/tofeelbetterlowfatdietmaybebest

According to a study published in Science Translational Medicine, the high levels of sugar and carbohydrates associated with the “Western diet” has been shown to target the bacteria in the stomachs of mice. When exposed to these bacteria, the mice became obese. Researchers believe that these results may hold true for humans, as well.

Targeting On the Bacterial Level

As a result, they are now focusing their weight management efforts on the microorganisms – and there are billions – that call the gut home. The researchers at St. Louis’ Washington University School of Medicine hope to gain a better understanding, and perhaps an eventual treatment, for obesity.

“Although how much you eat and how much you exercise are dominant drivers of your energy balance, it’s possible that microbial communities and how they work also comprise a factor that determines your risk for obesity or risk for malnutrition,” said Dr. Jeffrey I. Gordon, the study’s senior author director. “There are 10 times more microbial cells associated with adult human bodies than there are human cells, so we are 90 percent microbial and 10 percent human.”

Not All Bacteria Are Bad!

To be fair, these bacteria are vital for some pretty important functions. Specifically, they’re essential for digestion, and they aid in the absorption of those foods that would otherwise be indigestible. Unfortunately, the digestive system is pretty complicated and inaccessible to study, as there are many factors affecting both digestion AND obesity.

In the study, the researchers transplanted microbes from human feces into mice without gut microorganisms of their own. Then, they switched the mice from a low-fat diet to one high in fat and junk food. The results showed that in as little as 24 hours, the animals’ stomach bacteria actually changed. These mice were greeted by new bacteria species, while the overall numbers jumped. Plus, these mice all became obese. Researchers believe that these obesity-causing bacteria can actually be passed from mothers to their newborn children, as well.

These findings will probably have a huge effect on weight management products and practices. Scientists feel that the microbes and bacteria themselves could be modified within patients’ stomachs and actually reduce or eliminate excess weight.

SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20091112/hl_hsn/gutbacteriamightbemakingpeoplefat