The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States makes obesity a leading public health problem. The United States has the highest rates of obesity in the developed world. From 1980 to 2002, obesity has doubled in adults and overweight prevalence has tripled in children and adolescents.
From 2003-2004, children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, 17.1% were overweight and 32.2% of adults aged 20 years or older were obese. The prevalence in the United States continues to rise. The prevalence of obesity has been continually rising for two decades. This sudden rise in obesity prevalence is attributed to environmental and population factors rather than individual behavior and biology because of the rapid and continual rise in the number of overweight and obese individuals. The current environment produces risk factors for decreased physical activity and for increased calorie consumption. These environmental factors operate on the population to decrease physical activity and increase calorie consumption.
To fight this obesity epidemic hundreds of herbal supplements flooded the market. “Herbal fen/phen” is one of the most popular. Since the withdrawal of fen/phen from the market, “herbal fen/phen” has been proposed as an alternative in treating obesity. But the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that “herbal fen/phen” has not been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for obesity and may contain ingredients that have been associated with injuries.
The main ingredients in most herbal fen/phen products are ephedrine and St. John’s wort. Ephedrine acts like amphetamines in stimulating the central nervous system and the heart. Ephedrine promotes weight loss in part by an increase the body’s temperature, and when this happens, the body burns more calories. Ephedrine use has been associated with high blood pressure, heart rhythm irregularities, strokes, insomnia, seizures tremors, and nervousness. There have been reports of deaths in young individuals taking ephedrine. St. John’s wort has been used in Europe to treat mild depression, but not obesity. The action, effectiveness, and side effects of St. John’s wort either alone or in combination with other agents have not been adequately studied
Since 2006 the most talked about drug to fight obesity is Rimonabant. It would not be incorrect to term Rimonabant as a wonder drug. Rimonabant weight loss program has shown a sustained weight reduction over a period of 2 years of clinical study. Rimonabant works by obstructing the CB-1 receptors, which are responsible for food intake. These receptors are overactive in obese people, and blocking of CB-1 receptors basically leads to appetite suppression. As a result of this activity, you tend to eat less than your normal appetite.
This leads to weight loss. Besides weight reduction, it is also beneficial for high blood pressure, cholesterol and cardio-metabolic risk factors.
The doctor usually prescribes dose of 20 mg Rimonabant diet pill. Dosage of Rimonabant diet pill should be balanced with a low-calorie diet and regular exercises. Avoid over dose of the pill. You should strictly adhere to your doctor’s prescription to keep away from any future complications.