The study, which compared orlistat 60 mg plus diet to placebo plus diet in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 28, demonstrates a statistically significant difference in weight loss. Orlistat patients who completed the four-month treatment period lost 5 percent of their baseline weight and diet alone lost 3.3 percent.

The randomized, placebo-controlled, 16-week study was conducted in a primary care setting, offered minimal intervention and was largely self-instructional. Approximately 36 percent of orlistat users and 28 percent of the placebo group (who used diet modifications alone) lost more than five percent of their initial body weight. Approximately 57 percent of orlistat users, compared to 42 percent of the placebo group, lost more than three percent of their initial body weight.

Orlistat patients also demonstrated significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Safety and tolerability of 60 mg orlistat in this population was similar to that observed in previous studies in a more overweight population.

"Prescription orlistat has been used successfully for years to help obese individuals lose weight and improve their health, so it's exciting to find that a lower dose of orlistat can help those who are overweight with their weight loss efforts," said lead investigator Dr. James Anderson, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Kentucky. "The number of overweight individuals in this country continues to increase each year, and the risk of these folks progressing to obesity - and the resulting more serious medical problems - is significant."

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Women with the highest levels of omega 3 in their diets reduced their risk of dry eye syndrome by 20 percent compared to women with the lowest levels of this fat in their diet. A dietary ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 greater than 15:1 was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of dry eye syndrome in women. Currently, the average American diet consists of a similarly high ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids. Tuna consumption reduced the risk of dry eye syndrome. Women who reported eating at least five servings of tuna per week had a 68 percent reduced risk of dry eye syndrome compared to women who consumed one serving per week. Other fish types that have lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids did not appear to protect against dry eye syndrome. "We are accustomed to the mantra 'you are what you eat' and our study suggests that this also applies to a person's vision," said Debra Schaumberg, ScD, OD, MPH, the senior author of the study, clinical associate scientist at SERI, and associate epidemiologist at BWH. "Based on this report, preventing dry eye syndrome is another potential reason to follow a diet rich in tuna and other foods plentiful in omega 3 fatty acids."

These findings are based on surveys completed by more than 37,000 women enrolled in the landmark, BWH-based Women's Health Study. Survey questions were designed to elicit information about an individual's history of diagnosed dry eye syndrome and dietary habits.

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