A study of the use of drugs in the treatment of obesity among adult females

Abstract

Purpose

Obesity is a prevalent health problem among adult females in Egypt. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of drugs in managing of obesity among adult females.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 764 obese adult females with a BMI >25 were included in the study. Data were collected using a pre‐coded questionnaire on personal characteristics, type of regimen followed, the use of anti‐obesity drugs, sources of information about medicine, compliance pattern and the outcome of using medicine.

Findings

The results show that 19.9 per cent of the females took medicines while dieting and another 11.4 per cent while dieting and exercising. Physicians were the main source of advice about anti‐obesity medicine (33.1 per cent), followed by pharmacists (25.5 per cent), peers (24.2 per cent) and mass media (17.2 per cent). Medicines stimulating the metabolism were most commonly used (42.7 per cent), followed by drugs blocking fat absorption (24.3 per cent), appetite depressants (23.3 per cent) and herbs (18.4 per cent). The most common side effects were diarrhoea (30.1 per cent) followed by headache (20.1 per cent) and depression (17.2 per cent). The data show that 47.7 per cent of the females fully complied while 30.5 per cent did not comply. The intake of medicine while dieting induced weight loss among 48.9 per cent of the subjects, 18.0 per cent did not report weight loss and 33.1 per cent stopped medicine intake. Older females and those with a BMI >35 were more keen to seek advice from a physician, were more likely to comply fully and reported the highest rate of weight loss. The use of anti‐obesity drugs was highest (44 per cent) among university graduates compared to 24.8 per cent among females with limited education.

Originality/value

This study presents the first report of the pattern of using anti‐obesity drugs in Egypt.

Citation

Ezzat, S. (2012), "A study of the use of drugs in the treatment of obesity among adult females", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 25 No. 8, pp. 730-741. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861211270668