Comment: Low-Dose Orlistat Effects on Body Weight of Mildly to Moderately Overweight Individuals: A 16 Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background:Lifestyle measures are considered the first line of therapy for treating overweight individuals, but many are unable to achieve a meaningful weight loss.Objective:To determine the efficacy and safety of orlistat 60 mg, given 3 times daily, for weight loss in mildly to moderately overweight individuals.Methods:A multicenter, 16 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 391 overweight subjects at 20 US centers. The main outcome measure was change in weight from baseline to week 16; secondary measures included changes in body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting lipoprotein and glucose levels.Results:Subjects in both groups lost weight over the treatment period; however, orlistat-treated subjects lost significantly more weight than placebo-treated subjects beyond 2 weeks of treatment. Weight loss from baseline to week 16 was significantly greater in participants receiving orlistat versus those receiving placebo (3.05 vs 1.90 kg; p < 0.001, in...