Source
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop K26, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. LDK7@cdc.gov
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Pharmacotherapy is recommended for the treatment of obese persons with a body mass index of 30 kg/m(2) or higher or a body mass index of at least 27 kg/m(2) plus an obesity-related comorbid condition.
OBJECTIVE:
To estimate the prevalence of use of prescription weight loss pills in the United States in 1996-1998.
DESIGN:
1998 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative telephone survey.
SETTING:
United States.
PARTICIPANTS:
139 779 adults 18 years of age and older.
MEASUREMENTS:
Self-reported pill use for 1996-1998, body mass index (current and before pill use), age, sex, and race or ethnicity.
RESULTS:
The 2-year prevalence of pill use was 2.5% (95% CI, 2.1% to 2.9%), or 4.6 million U.S. adults. Use was higher in women than in men (4.0% vs. 0.9%, respectively) and highest among Hispanic respondents (3.2%). Of pill users, 25% were not overweight (body mass index < 27 kg/m(2) before using pills.
CONCLUSIONS:
Nearly 5 million U.S. adults used prescription weight loss pills in 1996-1998. However, one quarter of users were not overweight, suggesting that weight loss pills may be inappropriately used, especially among women, white persons, and Hispanic persons.