“Obesity” specifically refers to an excessive amount of body fat. “Overweight” refers to an excessive amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat, and water. As a rule, women have more body fat than men. Most health care professionals agree that men with more than 25 percent body fat and women with more than 30 percent body fat are obese. These numbers should not be confused with the body mass index (BMI), however, which is more commonly used by health care professionals to determine the effect of body weight on the risk for some diseases.
Measuring the exact amount of a person’s body fat is not easy. The most accurate measures are to weigh a person underwater or in a chamber that uses air displacement to measure body volume, or to use an X-ray test called Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, also known as DEXA. These methods are not practical for the average person, and are done only in research centers with special equipment.
There are simpler methods to estimate body fat. One is to measure the thickness of the layer of fat just under the skin in several parts of the body. Another involves sending a harmless amount of electricity through a person’s body. Results from these methods, however, can be inaccurate if done by an inexperienced person or on someone with extreme obesity.
Because measuring a person’s body fat is difficult, health care professionals often rely on other means to diagnose obesity. Weight-for-height tables, used for decades, have a range of acceptable weights for a person of a given height. One problem with these tables is that there are many versions, all with different weight ranges. Another problem is that they do not distinguish between excess fat and muscle. According to the tables, a very muscular person may be classified obese when he or she is not. The BMI is less likely to misidentify a person’s appropriate weight-for-height range.
Currently on the market only one drug has been approved for obesity treatment. Rimonabant is an anorectic anti obesity drug. It is a CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist. Its main avenue of effect is reduction in appetite.
Rimonabant works by inhibiting the CB-1 receptors, which regulate your appetite and nicotine intake in the body. This sources loss of appetite and you eat less than your normal diet. It also has an added noteworthy characteristic that is to restrain detrimental smoking –habit. It should be used in blend with a low-calorie diet and regular fitness regime to get superior weight loss results.
Side effects of Rimonabant were described as minor and temporary, the most being diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. More severe anticipated side effects, depression, did not materialize. It caused nausea in 13% of patients, vs. in 4% of those who placebo.
Before you go ahead with Rimonabant medication, prior conversation with your doctor is suggested to stay away from any future harmful repercussions. Seek instantaneous medical support, if you undergo these side effects for an extended phase of time or any other critical side effects