Question

A new micronutrient supplement promises to promote weight loss by increasing metabolism.

Do you think use of this supplement, without changing diet or physical activity, is likely to lead to weight loss? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Ans) The concept of long-term treatment of obesity with drugs has been seriously advanced only in the last 10 years.

- The evidence that obesity, as opposed to overweight, is a pathophysiological process of multiple etiologies and not simply a problem of self-discipline is gradually being recognized—obesity is similar to other chronic diseases associated with alterations in the biochemistry of the body. Most other chronic diseases are treated with drugs, and it is likely that the primary treatment for obesity in the future will be the long-term administration of drugs.

- Unfortunately, current drug treatment of obesity produces only moderately better success than does diet, exercise, and behavioral modification over the intermediate term. Newer drugs need to be developed, and combinations of current drugs need to be tested for short- and long-term effectiveness and safety. As drugs are proven to be safe and effective, their use in less severe obesity and overweight may be justified.

- The appropriateness of using weight-loss drugs in the military population requires careful consideration. On average, a 5 to 10 percent weight loss can improve comorbid conditions associated with obesity, but it is not known if this degree of weight reduction by itself would improve fitness or if it could be expected to improve performance in all military contexts.

- TheThe side effects that are sometimes encountered might also restrict the use of weight-loss drugs in some military contexts. On the other hand, the military is losing or is in danger of losing otherwise qualified individuals who cannot “make weight.” Such people might be able to keep their weight within regulation if they are allowed to take weight-loss drugs for the remainder of their term in the military. The frequency of known side effects of current weight-loss drugs is sufficiently low that the potential for adverse events would not seem to be a reason to avoid the use of these drugs by military personnel.

- The use of available dietary supplements and herbal preparations to control body weight is generally not recommended because of a lack of demonstrated efficacy of such preparations, the absence of control on their purity, and evidence that at least some of these agents have significant side effects and safety problems. The occurrence of potential adverse effects (e.g., dehydration, mood alterations) would be of particular concern for military personnel.