Medication Plus Behavior Changes Helps Obese Adolescents Lose Weight
The weight loss medication sibutramine, when combined with behavior therapy, allowed hundreds of very obese adolescents to lose an average of 14 pounds over a year, according to a multicenter study in the July 18 Annals of Internal Medicine. Adolescents in the study who received placebo (a sugar pill) gained four pounds over the year.In addition to reductions in body mass index and weight, the treated adolescents had improvements in disease risk factors associated with obesity. [click link for full article]

Overweight when young, maybe dead in middle age? (Reuters)
Reuters - Young women who are overweight at the age of 18 have a higher risk of dying young, but medication and behavior therapy can help young people lose weight, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

Meridia Helps Obese Teenagers Lose Weight
Meridia (sibutramine), combined with behavioural therapy, has been shown to be effective in helping obese teenagers lose weight, according to a study carried out by Dr. R Berkowitz and team at Children Hospital of Philadelphia. The researchers found the treatment is effective for obese 12-year-olds as well. The study involved 498 12-16 year old children at 33 weight-loss clinics - all of the children were obese. [click link for full article]

Cell-signalling Pathway In Brain Is Key Part Of Networks That Regulate How Much Food We Eat
A cell-signaling pathway in the brain that is linked to the development of cancer and diabetes is also a key part of networks that regulate food intake, say University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers. The finding might one day lead to new ways of helping obese people lose weight, either with new drugs or by carefully designing diets that can activate this pathway. [click link for full article]

Frontline Health Staff Join Fight Against Flab, UK
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint announced the publication todayof new practical tools for GPs and other health professionals to helppatients lose weight and improve their health. For the first time, GPs and other healthcare workers are being givenspecific tools to help identify and treat children, young people andadults who are overweight or obese. [click link for full article]