Management of obesity in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2008.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of obesity has been increasing in the United States. We set out to investigate the use of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapy for the treatment of obesity in recent years.


METHODS
We included 2630 men and 2702 women who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2008. We analyzed their demographic and anthropometric data and their weight and drug history.


RESULTS
A total of 45.9% of men and 45.0% of women were candidates for treatment (body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2), or ≥27 kg/m(2) with risk factors). Among these participants, 85.1% considered themselves overweight, 90.1% would like to lose weight, 61.9% had dietary changes, 36.5% exercised, 3.7% took nonprescription drugs, and 2.2% took prescription drugs to control weight during the preceding year. During the preceding month, 0.5% and 0.1% of participants were taking phentermine and orlistat, respectively. There were no participants on sibutramine.


CONCLUSIONS
Although obesity is highly prevalent, only a small percentage of obese Americans are on anti-obesity medication. The withdrawal of sibutramine would have minimal impact on the general population. There is a need for more lifestyle changes in the majority of obese individuals.
Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, China.
Nithushi R
NR
Samaranayake
Kwok L
KL
Ong
Raymond Y H
RY
Leung
Bernard M Y
BM
Cheung
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015431:Weight Loss
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D003503:Cyclobutanes; C058254:sibutramine