You are in Member Communities .
Obesity is a major health problem in all developed countries.
The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased substantially during the past decade. A 1999 Congressional Report funded by the National Institutes of Health confirmed that obesity significantly increases a number of health risks, including Type II diabetes. Obesity-related conditions, such as stroke and myocardial infarct are estimated to contribute to about 300,000 deaths yearly, ranking second only to smoking as a cause of preventable death. Current treatment of obesity consists of diet, exercise, and other lifestylechanges, and a limited number of drugs. According to their approved product labels, over a twelve-month treatment period, these drugs, at their approved starting doses, have produced weight loss of between approximately five and nine pounds as compared to patients taking placebo.