The United States (US) Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is joining Australia in the battle of the bulge by approving the gastric band for use in obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) as low as 30 and one obesity-related condition. Australia was the first in the Asia-Pacific region to recently approve the gastric band for use in people with a BMI over 35 or a BMI greater than 30 with at least one serious, obesity-related condition. For the first time, adults across the whole obesity spectrum who have failed conventional weight loss measures (diet, exercise and medication) can access this clinically effective, long-term, weight loss option.
According to Professor Paul O’Brien, Head of the Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) at Monash University, Melbourne, broader use of the gastric band among obese adults will have a significant and positive effect on health in Australia and the US. “We know that serious, obesity-related health complications have already begun by the time a BMI of 30 is reached, which is the lower limit of obesity. The gastric band was previously available to those with a BMI of at least 35 and one serious, obesity-related condition. Until now, obese people with a BMI under 35 who carry significant health risks have had limited options to improve their health when other conventional weight loss measures, such as diet and exercise, have failed,” said Prof O’Brien.
“If left untreated, research shows that these people will likely remain obese,2 placing themselves in danger of developing serious health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. While these simpler, non-surgical options should certainly form part of all initial weight loss attempts, we know with confidence from our Australian clinical data, that gastric banding is a viable, effective option for people unable to maintain weight loss with conventional methods,” Prof O’Brien said.
“In one of our landmark studies that contributed to the FDA’s decision to expand the indication for the gastric band, those who had mild-to-moderate obesity (BMI 30-35) showed very clear benefits with the gastric band compared to a matched group who received the best conventional weight loss treatment,” said Prof O’Brien. At two years after entry into the study, the gastric banding patients had lost an average of 87 per cent of their excess weight compared to those who followed a conventional program and lost just 21 per cent of their excess weight through diets, improved eating habits, and increased exercise and lifestyle changes.
“The broader indication for the gastric band across the whole adult obesity spectrum will allow Australia and the US to lead the way in the fight against obesity”
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