Dietary fibre and obesity

Abstract

Let me just remind you that treatment of obesity is very simple in theory but very difficult in practice. In theory it is just to create a negative energy balance by eating less and/or expending more energy. In practice this is very difficult. Obviously an anorectic agent which were effective would be very useful in the treatment of obesity, because over-eating is an important factor in the pathogenesis. If this effect were prolonged this would be even more helpful. If whatever is eaten were malabsorbed, that would increase the effectiveness. If one could on top of that increase energy expenditure by exercise or some then nogenic mechanism that would be even more helpful. Finally if one could improve the complications of obesity that would be most desirable.