Since the US Food and Drugs Administration’s (FDA) approval of Alli, it is already being marketed and well sensationalized by the media. What makes the FDA approval of this drug very important? The US FDA is the one followed by many countries, in terms of drug use. There are reasons why it is heavily promoted.The rate of obesity is growing in America and even worldwide. In fact, the trend of obesity in America dduring the past 20 years has been dramatic.
Since the mid-seventies, prevalent cases of obesity and overweight individuals have increased for both adults and children.
Statistics
In 2006, only four states had a prevalent case of obesity of less than 20%. Twenty-two states had prevalent cases equal or greater than 25%; two of these states (Mississippi and West Virginia) had a prevalent case of obesity equal to or greater than 30%. This is according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.
Comparing data’s from two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) showed that adults from the years 1976 to 1980 survey and aged between 20–74 years old, had prevalent cases of obesity that increased from 15.0% up to 32.9% from the years 2003–2004 survey of the same age group. Basing from these two surveys, an increase in overweight children and teens are also obtained. Children aged between 2 to 5 years old had an overweight increase from 5% up to 13.9%; between 6 to 11 years old, the prevalent cases increased from 6.5% up to 18.8%; and for those between 12 to 19 years, an increase of prevalent cases was from 5% up to 17.4%.
Some Concerns about Health
These dramatic increases had brought concerns like health implications for Americans. The accompanying health condition risks of being overweight and obese would be threats of having hypertension; dyslipidemia or having a high blood cholesterol/high triglycerides level-which is a risk for atherosclerosis and could lead to heart attack or even stroke; type 2 Diabetes mellitus; gall bladder disease like gall stones; sleep apnea or respiratory problems. It can even lead to osteoarthritis, especially in weight bearing joints like the knee; and the development of some cancers in the breast, endometrial and colon cancer.
The many health risks have called the attention of numerous health organizations and pharmaceutical companies, to promote diet plans and weight reducing pills. The slimming market is now becoming more competitive. In fact, many do not deliver the promise they make to themselves. Some would even go to the extent of having surgery or other treatments that would cost them a fortune; uncertain of the unworthy side effects.
Alli pills do not have this “unworthy side effects”. Examples of these would be the effects observed in the heart, like increase in heart rate; in the brain, like slow brain activity, disturbed sleep pattern; effects in the nerves or even the body clock.
Alli pills only works on the digestive system to prevent the absorption of fats. This is the reason why there are no unwanted side effects being experienced on other parts of the body. Treatments effects can also be observed like frequent visits to the bathroom because of the increased excretion of loose stools that is hard to control; and flatulence with oily spotting.
