Medical weight-loss programs frequently incorporate diet pills for the treatment of moderately to severely obese patients. Patients are treated with appetite suppressants to curb hunger and reduce calorie intake or lipase inhibitors that reduce the absorption of fat during digestion. Both types of medications can result in significant weight loss.
Treatment of Obesity
The primary reason for the use of diet medications is the reduction of body weight. Individuals who are prescribed diet pills by their doctors typically have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 or a BMI greater than 27 and major health risks such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Diet pills are used to help you achieve an initial weight loss, after which a medical weight-loss program will transition you onto a long-term diet plan designed to improve your health and ensure that you reach and maintain your weight-loss goals.
Reduction of Health Risks
The health risks associated with obesity are another reason doctors will prescribe diet pills. As you lose weight, your blood pressure and cholesterol levels typically drop, reducing stress on your heart. Blood-sugar levels also improve, reducing your risk of diabetes. Many doctors consider these health improvements vital to the reduction of potentially life-threatening diseases, and as such, the potential benefits of treatment are thought to outweigh the risks and side effects.
Weight Loss and Motivation
Many patients who complete a treatment phase with diet pills experience a rapid weight loss. Weight loss can total between 5 and 10 percent of your body weight, and many patients will experience increased motivation for proper diet and health after experiencing such positive physical changes. This motivation is a compelling reason for using diets pills.
Expert Tips
The Mayo Clinic notes that diet pills should be used under the supervision of a medical professional. In fact, while there are a variety of over-the-counter diet pills available to consumers, the Mayo Clinic states that there is no conclusive evidence to prove that those non-prescription pills are effective. Prescription medications that have been proven effective should be used in patients who are severely overweight or obese and they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Over-The-Counter Weight-Loss Pills: Do They Work?, Mayo Clinic Staff, February 11, 2010
- Mayo Clinic: Weight-loss Drugs: Can a Prescription Help You Lose Weight?, Mayo Clinic Staff, October 9, 2010
- Weight-Control Information Network: Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December, 2010
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