Slimming pills: Do they really work?

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Slimming pills don't work as well as they claim to, says a new report out. The research from the British Medical Journal says people taking weight loss tablets are only losing about 11 pounds – not enough to stop them being overweight.

Another report says that the slimming pill Acomplia, launched 18 months ago as a 'wonder drug', can cause anxiety, irritability, nervousness, sleep problems and could even lead to depression. It's already been banned in America, and now there are calls to do the same here.

But both reports did say that even losing a small amount of weight can help lower your cholesterol and the chances of getting diabetes.

Over a billion people across the world are obese. 13 million are obese in the UK alone, and nearly £500 million is spent on slimming tablets every year.

Dr Colin Waine from the National Obesity Forum thinks that it's really important for people to eat better, do more exercise and lose weight slowly so it stays off. But he also says that taking pills is justified if it means people will lose some weight, even if it's just a little bit.

goodtoknow has loads of diets, which are easy to do and stick to, as well as tips on fun ways to exercise. We also have diets for you if you have diabetes, coeliac disease or other food intolerances.

• Try one of our healthy eating diets
• Try one of our diets for conditions
• Don't fancy the gym? Try one of our easy exercises or find fun ways to drop a dress size
• Read more info about
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol

• Do you think slimming pills work or are they just a waste of money? Talk to others in our chat room
• For more help visit the National Obesity Forum's website

By Vicky Woollaston

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