"Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, for weight maintenance after conventional dieting: a 1-y study," by James O. Hill, Jonathan Hauptman, James W. Anderson, Ken Fujioka, Patrick M. O'Neil, Diane K. Smith, James H. Zavoral, and Louis J. Aronne.

Orlistat, a drug that partially blocks the body's absorption of dietary fat, shows promise as a tool to help successful dieters keep weight off, according to the first long-term study of the drug, appearing in June's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Two accompanying editorials suggest that orlistat's benefits are modest.

For more information about the original research article, contact Dr. Aronne at [email protected]

The two accompanying editorials are: "Is Blockade of Pancreatic Lipase the Answer?" by Charles H. Halsted, Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; and "The War against Obesity: Attacking a New Front," by Samuel Klein. Questions about Dr.Halsted's editorial can be sent to him at [email protected]; questions about Dr. Klein's editorial can be addressed to [email protected].