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Long-term weight loss depends on overall lifestyle changes:
eating fewer calories and exercising more often. Yet many
Americans turn to nonprescription weight loss pills or prescription
diet pills because
they require little effort to achieve weight loss. These products
contain substances that reduce your appetite and stimulate
calorie burning in your body.
However, some research studies have reported negative side
effects of these products, such as heart attacks; strokes;
anxiety; sleeplessness; migraines; and seizures. Diet pills
are of particular concern to those who have diabetes or high
blood pressure. Information from the Behavioral Risk Factor
 Surveillance System (BRFSS) was utilized in this two-year
study, recently published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association. Researchers questioned nearly 15,000
adults about weight-loss product use; physical characteristics;
presence of diabetes; and various lifestyle choices.
Seven percent of the participants had used at least one
nonprescription weight-loss product. The authors of the study
suggest that this translates into over 17 million people in
the U.S. using these products from 1996-1998. Young, obese
women were much more likely to take diet pills - nearly a
third had used a weight-loss product. Many diabetic women
and women with a healthy weight also reported using the drugs,
however.
Obesity rates in the U.S. are increasing, which may lead
to an increase in the use of diet pills. If you are trying
to lose weight for any reason, avoid taking diet pills. The
Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to remove phenylpropanolamine
(PPA), the active ingredient in Acutrim and Dexatrim, from
all drug products. Sound nutrition and consistent, moderate
exercise, although not as simple as popping a pill, are safer
alternatives.
Reference:
Blanck HM, Khan LK, Serdula MK. Use of nonprescription weight
loss products: Results from a multistate survey. Journal
of the American Medical Association 2001:286(8), pp. 930-935.
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