[Are PUFAs n-3 really important in diet?].

If cardiovascular secondary prevention as well as COPD benefit from PUFAs supplementation, mainly in our societies where n-3 lack is close to n-6:n-3 misbalance, the usefulness of these supplements in many diseases (inflammatory or psychiatric for instance), is not yet established despite numerous randomised controlled studies and meta-analysis. The only counter indication to their prescription now is the presence of an implantable defibrillator. Their effect on prostate cancer remains doubtful.

Effect of orlistat in obese patients with binge eating disorder.

Objective: Binge eating disorder represents a significant public health problem, with up to 50% of weight loss program participants displaying this disorder. In previous studies with orlistat, patients with binge eating disorder were excluded. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of orlistat in obese patients with binge eating disorder.

[Are food preferences affected by body mass index, age, sex or tobacco?].

In recent decades the percentage of energy derived from dietary fat has increased. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between food taste preferences, BMI, age, gender and smoking habits. A computerized questionnaire using a hedonic scale (range 0 to 8) to quantify the liking for sweet and savoury, lean and fat foods, was filled by 233 adults: 171 normal weight (131 women, 40 men) and 62 overweight subjects (BMI > 25 kg/m2 42 women, 20 men).

[Handicaps of massive obesity].

Massive obesity results in psychological--internal, relational, behavioural and psychosocial--handicaps due, to a great extent, to a society which encourages the occurrence of obesity but does not tolerate those who present with this condition. As the weight increases, the quality of life diminishes. Moreover, the mental performances of very obese individuals seem to be inferior to those of subjects with normal weight.

Long-term Result of Treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome by Scopinaro's Bilio-pancreatic Diversion. Study of Three Cases and the Effect of Dextrofenfluramine on the Postoperative Evolution.

The Prader-Willi Syndrome shortens the life of patients due to the morbid obesity which it entails. The compulsive hyperphagia associated with it makes a dietetic treatment or a gastroplasty difficult. This study presents the case histories of three patients suffering from the Prader-Willi syndrome who were operated on by means of a Scopinaro's bilio-pancreatic diversion.

[Judicious use of anorectics].

Physicians treating adipose patients often hesitate to include drugs. Considering new developments in obesity research and drug-therapy, this attitude should be discussed. Anorectics of the amphetamine-group and analogues (derivates) react with the noradrenergic system and induce appetite-suppression.

[Obesity: indications for surgery].

Over the last thirty years, successive surgical techniques have been tried to find an answer to the problems caused by extreme obesity. The advantages and disadvantages of jejuno-ileal, bilio-pancreatic and gastric bypass, of gastroplasty as well as of intragastric balloons and of plastic surgery for the treatment of obesity are discussed. The necessity of long-term follow-up studies, allowing a better evaluation of surgical the impact of obesity on treatment for morbidity and mortality rates, remains extremely important.