Adolescent obesity and early death
Being obese during adolescence is an increasing problem in the United States; 15% of adolescents are obese. It increases the likelihood of having diabetes or heart disease later in life and of dying while still in middle age. Adolescents who are obese are more likely to be depressed or to feel unpopular with schoolmates. Adolescents have trouble losing weight and keeping it off.
Two related studies have been published in the July 18, 2006 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
The first study attempts to find if adolescent obesity in women is related to early death when compared to women who were not obese during their teens. In the 12 year followup of 102, 400 women, it was found that having a high body mass index (BMI) increased the risk of death especially from cancer, cardiovascular disease and suicide.
The second study attempts to find a treatment for this problem. For this the researchers used sibutramine (Meridia) which is known to cause weight loss. Sibutramine was given to adolescents and the weight loss estimated over a period of 1 year. This was compared with age matched controls who did not receive this drug. Their findings are:-
At 1 year, the average difference in weight between groups was 18.5 pounds…..The main drug side effect was rapid heart rate.
These studies clearly establish the fact that adolescent obesity increases the risk of dying early. Although Sibutramine has been found to be effective in decreasing theb weight in adolescents, routine use is not indicated till more studies are done to establish its risk benefit ratio.
Reference - Annals of Internal Medicine
The Relationship between Overweight in Adolescence and Premature Death in Women
Effects of Sibutramine Treatment in Obese Adolescents
Patient pages
Does Obesity in Women during Adolescence Increase the Risk for Premature Death?
Effects of Drug Treatment for Obesity in Adolescence
Technorati Tags: Adolescent, Death, Obesity, Meridia, Sibutramine
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