New Research Shows Taking alli(R) in Conjunction With a Diet Significantly Reduces Dangerous Visceral fat
By Gsk Consumer Healthcare, PRNETuesday, January 26, 2010
Findings Presented Today at the 1st International Congress on Abdominal Obesity in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, January 28 - A new study that used state of the art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
technology reveals that taking alli(R) (orlistat 60 mg) while following a
reduced calorie, lower-fat diet can lead to a significant reduction not only
in weight but also in dangerous visceral fat.(1) Visceral fat surrounds the
vital organs in the abdomen and, in excess, increases the risk of life
threatening diseases.(2)
The research, carried out over three months at Europe's largest imaging
centre, illustrates the changes taking place inside someone's body as they
take alli plus diet. It supports that overweight adults (with a BMI of 28
or over) using alli in conjunction with a reduced calorie, lower-fat diet
can not only lose 5 per cent of their body weight but importantly, 10 per
cent of dangerous visceral fat versus baseline.(1) Results also showed that
at week 12 waist circumference, the best practical marker for visceral fat,
could also be significantly reduced.(1)
These latest findings, when considered with existing data, suggest that
adding alli to diet not only helps overweight adults lose 50 per cent more
weight than dieting alone, but this weight loss also helps improve health.
For every two pounds they lose through their own efforts, adding alli can
help them lose one more.
Rexford Newbould, GSK study investigator said: "While it's well-known
that overall weight loss of 5-10 per cent is beneficial, what is not so
well-known is that many of the health benefits occur because visceral fat,
the fat stored deep within the abdomen, is lost. This new research shows that
when people lose weight using orlistat 60 mg in conjunction with diet, they
lose visceral fat."
The real burden - visceral fat
Visceral fat is metabolically active fat which, in excess, can increase
the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two
of the leading causes of death worldwide.(3) It is these health complications
that have a big impact on the personal and public burden of the obesity
epidemic.
James Hallatt, General Manager GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare UK,
says, "These results show that by losing weight with alli plus diet,
people can not only look better on the outside, they can be healthier on the
inside too. We know that most people lose weight to look better on the
outside, but losing excess fat on the inside is just as important."
Waistline and cholesterol reductions
Not only has adding alli to diet been shown to significantly reduce
weight compared with dieting alone, but it also reduces waist size.
Additional data presented today show that alli was significantly more
effective than placebo in reducing waist size, with an average loss of 4.5 cm
(1.8 inches), over 6 months of treatment.(4) Levels of total and LDL
cholesterol were also significantly lower in those people taking alli
compared with placebo.(5)
Leading UK obesity expert, Professor David Haslam of the National Obesity
Forum, comments, "The size of your waistline is a good way to tell if you
have excess visceral fat. People who have too much weight around their middle
have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease than
those who carry weight around the hips. Losing weight - and specifically
visceral fat - can help reduce the likelihood of serious health problems."
The MRI study follows a recent report in which leading obesity experts
called for greater public awareness of visceral fat. It included results from
a European survey of over 12,000 people which showed that 88 per cent of them
do not know what visceral fat is but, after hearing about the associated
risks, 61 per cent said they were more motivated to lose weight.(6)
Notes to editors
alli is a non-prescription weight loss aid, containing orlistat 60 mg,
for overweight adults (18 years or over) with a body mass index (BMI) of 28
or more. It should be used with a reduced calorie, lower fat diet. Always
read the label.
Also presented at the Congress were the results from a six-month,
placebo-controlled study on the effect of alli on visceral fat. The study
included people with a BMI of 25 or over, in line with alli's US licence. In
Europe, alli is licensed for people with a BMI of 28 or over. For the group
who had a BMI of 28 or more, there was a trend in favour of alli but the
study wasn't designed to show a statistical significance in this group.
Professor David Haslam is a paid consultant for GSK, but the opinions
expressed here are his own.
Waist measurements
Men are at increased health risk if they have a waist circumference of 94
cm or more. Women are at increased health risk if they have a waist
circumference of 80 cm or more.(7)
References:
1. Beaver J et al. Orlistat 60 mg in conjunction with diet provides
significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue, Poster presented at the 1st
International Congress on Abdominal Obesity, 28 January 2010, Hong Kong.
2. World Health Organisation. Challenges of Obesity of the WHO European
Region. Strategies for response. 2007
3. World Health Organisation. Fact Sheet - The top ten causes of death.
www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310_2008.pdf. Last
accessed 19.01.10.
4. Savastano D et al. Orlistat 60 mg provides significant reductions in
body weight and waist circumference. Poster presented at the 1st
International Congress on Abdominal Obesity, 28 January 2010, Hong Kong.
5. Schwartz S et al. Orlistat 60 mg provides significant reductions in
total and LDL cholesterol, independent of weight loss. Poster presented at
the 1st International Congress on Abdominal Obesity, 28 January 2010, Hong
Kong.
6. ICM Research interviewed a sample of 12,161 adults aged 30-59 years
old who want to lose weight, across 21 European markets using a mixed
approach of online and telephone research in October 2009. Respondents were
contacted on a nationally representative basis and qualified for the survey
if they were looking to lose at least 2lbs in weight. ICM is a member of the
British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at
www.icmresearch.co.uk
7. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Practice Guidance:
Obesity. 2005.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
- GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter
consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands
include Panadol(R), Aquafresh(R) and Sensodyne(R).
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any forward-
looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this
announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect
GSK's operations are described under 'Risk Factors' in the 'Business Review'
in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2007.
Enquiries: Virgo Health: Emily Brooks, emily.brooks at virgohealth.com, +44(0)20-8939-2462, +44(0)7886-003040; Virgo Health: Hannah O'Neill, hannah.oneill at virgohealth.com, +44(0)20-8939-2491, +44(0)7799-108818
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