Is Research on Obesity Drugs a Good Thing?

Category: Diet and Nutrition

Over the last 10 years research dollars have been directed towards the obesity epidemic in large numbers. But can this direction really be good for humans?

In the US more than two-thirds of adult men and women are either overweight or obese. This fact alone is astonishing, especially when compared to the rest of the world, which has very low obesity rates.

Now research is focused on finding an obesity gene, or new drugs that treat obesity. We also have surgeries that are being developed to help curb eating and speed weight loss to help obese patients avoid the onslaught of chronic disease that follows years of being too heavy.

What I wonder is what happended to diet and exercise. Aren't these the pillars of health and wellness. Cannot both a proper, healthy diet and daily exercise prevent and treat obesity in most adults?

As scientists are developing drugs, both from natural and synthetic substances we must ask ourselves if this is the true solution. The lastest research on a compound from the Korean Pinenut shows promise for suppressing appetite. Its safety is not well researched when used as a drug, but of course eating healthy amounts of the pinenut does no harm.

As members of the public we need to work to shape public policy. We need to stress issues such as healthcare for all individuals, preventative medicine, and lifestyle choices that promote health and wellness. We need to direct ourselves away from quick solution drugs and surgeries that do not address the root problem, they just cover up the outcome.

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on January 25, 2014 10:00 AM