FDA Rejects Another Weight Loss Drug

It is becoming common practice for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject applications for new weight loss drugs. Over the past year,  the FDA rejected applications for three anti-obesity medications. This week, the FDA rejected the application for Contrave. Contrave is a combination of an antidepressant and an anti-addiction drug to curb appetite. Early studies demonstrate  modest weight-loss benefits (i.e., approximately 4.5% weight loss). 

However,  FDA scientists and safety advocates were critical of the data indicating Orexigen, Contrave's manufacturer, enrolled a limited number of elderly patients or patients with a history of heart disease in its trials, making it difficult to determine the drug’s safety in patients who are likely to need it most.

Weight Loss Series: Childhood Obesity Begins With Formula Feeding

Childhood obesity is on the rise. In fact, nearly 30% of adolescents are overweight and approximately 15% are obese.

Childhood obesity is a multifaceted problem that appears to start within the first year of life. Even more troubling is obesity might begin during fetal development. In fact, the heavier the infant at birth increases their risk of becoming obese later in life.

Recently, research has indicated a strong link between formula fed babies becoming obese later in life. In fact, a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated 20% of obese adults may be attributed to over feeding during infancy.

So, what is the link between formula feeding and obesity?