Why are prescription diet pills only for obesity?

[Drew]

Since weight loss is helpful to anyone who is overweight, why are prescription pills only for people with obesity? Just because a person is a few pounds lighter than that BMI doesn't mean that burning excess fat isn't very important to their health. I don't get it.

[Bruce]

I think it has to do with a certain amount of body weight being needed to offset the strength - and side effects - of the medicine.

[Janet]

because obesity is a disease that can be treated. Being overweight isn't an illness and it is often easier to overcome through weight loss with lifestyle changes. That's how I understand it.

[Bonnie]

Definitely because they're so strong that they're dangerous. It needs to be worth it to use them in that the extra weight has to be riskier to your health than taking the pills temporarily.

[TeensyTiff]

I dont understand why they don't put out lower doses for people who have less weight to lose.