Use of prescription weight loss pills among U.S. adults in 1996-1998.
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.


METHODS
1998 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative telephone survey.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
139 779 adults 18 years of age and older.


METHODS
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.
Khan
L K
LK
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
Serdula
M K
MK
Bowman
B A
BA
Williamson
D F
DF
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents