Although the specific effects of orlistat
on risk factors were modest or lacking
on some risk factors, orlistat treatment
for 3 years was associated with a signifi-
cant reduction of the development of type
2 diabetes. It was not possible to clarify
from the present study whether this is a
specific effect of orlistat or whether it is
due to the extra 2.2- to 2.4-kg weight loss
maintenance induced by orlistat. However,
these findings are in accordance
with the 4-year XENDOS Study, in which
the development of type 2 diabetes was
reduced by 37% in the orlistat group
compared with the placebo group (14).
That orlistat may reduce the development
of diabetes and can improve glucoseinsulin
homeostasis has also been shown
by others (13). Other lifestyle interventions
with focus on weight loss also have
shown reduced development of type 2 diabetes
in association with moderate
weight loss (24,25).