Teen Diet Pill Sheds Pounds Without Tampering Growth
Study Reveals Meridia Kids Can Lose Weight, Still Grow
November 19, 2004
SAN DIEGO -- Two years ago, Todd Schmaltz, (pictured, right), was struggling with his weight. He was 16 years old and the pounds were piling on.
"I started karate, but it wasn't getting enough
weight off. My mom found out about this study for a
drug to lose
weight," Schmaltz said.
The study involved the drug called Meridia and it works on the part of the brain that gives the sensation that you are full for a longer period of time.
According to Scripps weight loss expert Dr. Ken Fujioka, overweight adolescents are the hardest group to treat because most diet drugs can impact a child's growth.
Fujioka said a one-year study of Meridia revealed that kids can lose weight and still grow.
"We are pleased to say they lost weight. They got healthier and they were still able to grow like they should," Fujioka said.
Schmaltz is now considerably lighter.
"The pill just made me not eat that much. It just made me not have snacks between meals," Schmaltz said.
Besides losing big, Schmaltz grew 4 inches. He's now 6-feet 2 inches.
"It didn't stunt my growth," he said.
Nearly 500 adolescents took part in the Meridia study.
Source:www.10news.com
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