Self-treatment with herbal products for weight-loss among overweight and obese subjects from central Mexico

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 234; no. NA; pp. 21 - 26
• Main Authors: Alonso-Castro, Angel Josabad, Ruiz-Padilla, Alan Joel, Ramírez-Morales, Marco Antonio, Alcocer-García, Sara Guadalupe, Ruiz-Noa, Yeniley, Ibarra-Reynoso, Lorena Del Rocío, Solorio-Alvarado, Cesar Rogelio, Zapata-Morales, Juan Ramón, Mendoza-Macías, Claudia Leticia, Deveze-Álvarez, Martha Alicia, Alba-Betancourt, Clara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 24.04.2019
• Subjects: Bidens; Camellia sinensis; chi-square distribution; educational status; females; Glycine max; green tea; Medicinal plant; Mexico; Obesity; Overweight; patients; Self-medication; socioeconomics; soybeans; traditional medicine; weight loss; women; Mexico; Obesity; Self-medication; Overweight; Medicinal plant
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.003

Mexico ranks second in the world for obesity prevalence. In Mexico, obese and overweight subjects commonly seek alternative treatments for weight-loss, including the use of herbal products. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with herbal products for weight-loss among overweight and obese subjects residing in four states (Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, State of Mexico, and Mexico City) from central Mexico. In addition, the factors related to self-medication among patients were studied. A total of 1404 overweight and obese subjects were interviewed. A chi-square test examined associations between socio-demographic and socio-economic information, and self-medication with herbal products for weight-loss. The prevalence of self-medication was 42.9% among the participants who used herbal products for weight-loss. The female gender was the strongest factor (OR: 2.20 (1.75–2.77) associated with self-medication for weight-loss, followed by a low educational level (elementary and middle school) [OR: 1.80 (1.31–2.44)], and a middle-socioeconomic status [OR: 1.75 (1.21–2.52)]. The main herbal products used for weight-loss were based on: i) green tea, Camellia sinensis (12.7% of frequency), ii) aceitilla, Bidens odorata (6.6%), and iii) soybean, Glycine max (5.3%). In addition, 65% of the respondents considered herbal products ineffective for weight-loss after 6 months of use. Due to the high incidence of overweight and obesity in Mexico, there is a high prevalence (42.9%) of self-medication using natural products for weight-loss, particularly in women from Central Mexico. This study indicates the important need to educate patients about the harmful effects of consuming these products. [Display omitted]