The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in the United States was 30.5 percent in 1999-2000. Although obtaining a precise estimate of the change in the prevalence of obesity over time is difficult because of changing definitions, nearly all clinical authorities agree that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. In response, pharmacological and surgical treatments for weight loss have become both more numerous and more commonly used. This report reviews the evidence on such treatments in adults, adolescents, and children. We assess the efficacy and safety of the following medications used for...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by impaired social communication and social interaction accompanied by atypical patterns of behavior and interest. ASD is differentiated from other developmental disorders by significant impairments in social interaction and communication, along with restrictive, repetitive, and stereotypical behaviors and activities. Social communication and social interaction features include deficits in social-emotional reciprocity (e.g., deficits in joint attention, atypical social approach and response, conversational challenges,...