Abstract
To investigate the usage of anti-obesity drugs among Taiwanese female, a total of 1,091 Taiwanese subjects aged 20 to 49 years were sampled by systemic cluster sampling method and surveyed by telephone interview on Dec 22 and 23, 2001. All of the 537 female subjects interviewed were enrolled in the study for final analysis.
Of the 537 subjects, 63(11.7%) reported of taking or having taken anti-obesity drugs. Among them, 35 persons (55.6%) were taking anti-obesity drugs; 13(20.6%) used traditional Chinese herbs as anti-obesity agents; and 15(23.8%) took both. The higher the educational level, the more prevalence of using anti-obesity drugs. There were 53(84.1%) anti-obesity drug user withdrawn from the treatment subsequently, and the major reasons of withdrawal were ineffectiveness (58.5%), intolerance to adverse effect (54.7%) and the high cost of anti-obesity drug (47.2%). Asking the 537 subjects of what might be the major route of obtaining the anti-obesity drugs if they felt necessary. The answers were: ”Obesity special clinics (67.8%)”, ”drugstores recommended by the doctors' prescription (34.6%)” and ”followed the advices of family(25.9%)”. The most important factor for selecting anti-obesity agents will be ”no immediate adverse effect (56.8%)”.
Our study showed that 11.7% of the female subjects had used or were using anti-obesity drugs. In other words, nearly six hundred and thirty thousand Taiwanese female, aged 20 to 49 years had used anti-obesity drugs. Therefore, more accurate education and consultation in the selection and usage of anti-obesity drugs are needed to meet the goals of weight reduction in a healthy manner.
Of the 537 subjects, 63(11.7%) reported of taking or having taken anti-obesity drugs. Among them, 35 persons (55.6%) were taking anti-obesity drugs; 13(20.6%) used traditional Chinese herbs as anti-obesity agents; and 15(23.8%) took both. The higher the educational level, the more prevalence of using anti-obesity drugs. There were 53(84.1%) anti-obesity drug user withdrawn from the treatment subsequently, and the major reasons of withdrawal were ineffectiveness (58.5%), intolerance to adverse effect (54.7%) and the high cost of anti-obesity drug (47.2%). Asking the 537 subjects of what might be the major route of obtaining the anti-obesity drugs if they felt necessary. The answers were: ”Obesity special clinics (67.8%)”, ”drugstores recommended by the doctors' prescription (34.6%)” and ”followed the advices of family(25.9%)”. The most important factor for selecting anti-obesity agents will be ”no immediate adverse effect (56.8%)”.
Our study showed that 11.7% of the female subjects had used or were using anti-obesity drugs. In other words, nearly six hundred and thirty thousand Taiwanese female, aged 20 to 49 years had used anti-obesity drugs. Therefore, more accurate education and consultation in the selection and usage of anti-obesity drugs are needed to meet the goals of weight reduction in a healthy manner.
| Translated title of the contribution | A Pilot Study of the Usage of Anti-Obesity Drugs Among Taiwanese Female between 20 and 49 Years |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 33-40 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | 臺灣家庭醫學研究 = Taiwan Family Medicine Research |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 Oct 1 |