Background : Orlistat proromotes weight loss by inhibiting gastrointestimal lipases, thus lowering absorption of dietary fat. This study is to examine the effect of orlistat on the change of body composition including abdominal fat distribution in obese people.
Methods: Thirty seven obese people with BMI (25 kg/㎡ were orlistat (120 mg, tid) for 6 months. Before and after treatment, total, trunk and leg body fat masses were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptometry and abdominal fat distribution was determined using computed tomography.
Results: Of the total 37 people, twenty subjects who completed the study were included in the data analysis. BMI, body weight, hip and waist circumferences decreased significantly after 6 months. Total and trunk fat mass decreased significantly after treatment but leg fat mass, lean body mass and bone did not. Orlistat treatment reduced visceral fat area (187±73 vs. 154±51 ㎠, p<0.01) without significant change in abdominal subcutaneous fat area. The percent reduction of visceral fat was greater than those of total and trunk fat mass (12%:5%:6%).
Conclusion: Weight loss after orlistat treatment was associated with beneficial changes in body composition including reduction of visceral fat.

Keywords: Orlistat, Fat mass, Intraabdominal fat