100 young people have been treated for one year with a medicine to help them lose weight. The active substance is liraglutide and is normally used to treat diabetes. The experience so far is that it helps, but that as many as 2 out of 3 experience side effects such as stomach pain and nausea. – Many have a good effect, together with dietary advice. Some people get very nauseous, but for most it passes after five weeks, says pediatrician Johannes Rolin at the Hospital in Vestfold. He is one of several who have worked with the young people. Now they are looking for an even better medicine. Fewer side effects In an article in Tidskriftet for the Norwegian Medical Association, those who have worked with young people describe that they see little effect from pure dietary advice for families with overweight children and young people. Slimming operations have a great effect, but are costly for society and can cause serious side effects for those operated on. Safe and effective alternatives are missing, they write. In 12 weeks, most of the young people lost 4 percent of their weight. But the doctors are still not satisfied. They want to find a medicine that can be given to more people, with fewer side effects. Now 150 young people from all over the country will join a new study with a different medicine. Pill has previously been tested on adults. It suppresses hunger and increases the feeling of satiety. Now the overweight children over the age of 12, who struggle with obesity, are going to try it out. Rolin emphasizes that the medication must be combined with close follow-up. Therefore, they are developing an app to make it easier for them to keep in touch with those receiving slimming medication. The hope of a diet pill Anyone who has lost weight knows that it is difficult. – It’s not just about getting together, says Johannes Rolin. Pediatrician Johannes Rolin has plans ready for new trials. Photo: Mette Stensholt Schau / news The young people who received help from medicine felt that they received good help, he says. – They experience getting an opportunity not to think about food all the time, explains the doctor. He points out that there are some dilemmas associated with giving children and young people medication for something that is not an illness. But; – The aim is that they should not get serious diseases as adults due to overweight and obesity, but the price must not be too high, emphasizes the paediatrician. Too much nausea can be too high a price to pay for patients, but so can slimming surgery. – Can we envision a future where we can all get a diet pill from the GP? – Yes I believe. The medicines we are currently testing are so effective that we can limit the development of overweight and obesity. Remember the psychological Mari-Mette Graff is head of the National Association for the Obese. She says she is happy that research is being done on medicines that can help. But she reminds that there can be psychological reasons behind being overweight. Mari-Mette Graff is head of the National Association for the Obese (LFO). She herself has had slimming surgery. Photo: Privat For some, there may be trauma behind the weight gain. – It is important not to look blindly at kilos as an expression of health, she emphasizes.
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Looking for a diet pill – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
