Gastric Banding Is Effective Treatment For Mild To Moderate Obesity
Eighty moderately obese patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopic gastric banding or to a nonsurgical program involving very low-calorie diets, weight loss drugs, and counseling (Article, p. 625). At six months, both groups lost 13.8 percent of initial weight; at 24 months, patients who had gastric banding lost an average of 21.6 percent of initial body weight compared to 5.5 percent in the nonsurgical group. [click link for full article]

Trans Fat Leads To Weight Gain Even On Same Total Calories, Animal Study Shows
The "apple" body shape that increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease may be accelerated by eating trans fat such as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, according to new animal research at Wake Forest University School of Medicine."Diets rich in trans fat cause a redistribution of fat tissue into the abdomen and lead to a higher body weight even when the total dietary calories are controlled," said Lawrence L. Rudel, Ph.D. [click link for full article]

VIVUS Announces Positive Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results With Qnexa, A Novel Therapy To Treat Obesity
VIVUS, Inc.(Nasdaq: VVUS) today announced positive results from a 200-patient,double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Qnexa(TM), aninvestigational oral treatment for obesity. In the study conducted by DukeUniversity Medical Center, more than 50% of obese patients in the Qnexatreatment group experienced 10% or more total body weight loss during the24-week study period. Mean weight loss on an intent-to-treat (ITT) basis inthe Qnexa group was 25.1 lbs., compared to 4. [click link for full article]

Can A High-Fiber Diet Prevent Obesity?
While diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein continue to attract the public's attention, researchers at the University of Texas - Austin report that "normal-weight" adults tend to eat more fiber and fruit than people who are overweight or 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]