Aug 27 (HeartCenterOnline) - A recent survey found that young obese women are more likely to use over-the-counter (OTC) diet products. Because of the potential side effects of these products, researchers urged patients to inform their physicians before using them. Results of the 1998 survey were published in the August 22-29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

According to a JAMA news release, one percent of those surveyed reported using products containing ephedra while two percent reported using products containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Ephedra use has been linked to adverse health effects such as high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. PPA use has been linked to reports of cardiac (involving the heart) and cerebrovascular (involving the blood vessels of the brain) events.

Researchers surveyed 14,679 people over age 18 by telephone in five states (Florida, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin). Among the data collected for each individual were height, weight, age, diabetic status and usage of over- the-counter weight loss products between 1996 and 1998. Based on this information, researchers calculated that 44 percent of participants were normal weight, 36 percent were overweight and 20 percent were obese.

Overweight means that a person weighs more than his or her ideal weight. Obesity is a condition in which patients are more than 20 percent above their ideal weight. Ideal weight is calculated based on a range of weights that are considered to be healthy for the average person based on height, age and other factors. Obesity and overweight may also be determined by calculating a patient's body mass index (BMI). BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (wt/ht2). Patients with a BMI of 26 or greater are considered overweight while 30 or greater is considered obese. Researchers used BMI for the recent JAMA survey.

According to the JAMA news release, researchers found the following as a result of the telephone survey:

* Seven percent of those surveyed had used at least one non- prescription weight loss product between 1996 and 1998. Women and young adults were the most frequent users and those with higher BMIs were also more likely to have used the products than their peers with lower BMIs.

* More than 28 percent of young obese women reported using over-the-counter weight loss products.

* Eight percent of men and 18 percent of women who were currently trying to lose weight reported using non- prescription weight loss products.

* Of those people surveyed who were taking a prescription weight loss drug, more than 33 percent were also taking an over-the-counter diet product.

According to the news release, researchers were most concerned with a population of patients with diagnosed diabetes who were taking ephedra or PPA because they are at higher risk for undesirable health effects. They also speculated that with the rise in obesity in the United States, the number of people taking non-prescription weight loss products is likely to increase. Researchers urged patients to consult with their physicians regarding the use of over-the-counter diet products.

More information can be found by visiting the following HeartCenterOnline topic centers and encyclopedia articles:
Diet Pills
Diet & Women
The Diet & Nutrition Center
The Weight & Obesity Center

Other news articles of interest can be found at the following links:
Survey: Many normal- weight adults use diet drugs (Feb 20, 2001)
Alaska jury awards stroke victim $12 million (Feb 9, 2001)
Dangerous compounds linked to supplement deaths (Jan 12, 2001)
Supplement helps melt fat and build muscle (Jan 5, 2001)
Cold drugs, diet pills being taken off the shelf (Dec 7, 2000)
Herbal stimulant may be deadly (Nov 9, 2000)

Copyright 2001 HeartCenterOnline