Top stories in endocrinology: FDA approves obesity drug, how gestational diabetes impacts offspring

Among the most read stories in endocrinology last week were the FDA’s approval of a drug for adults who are overweight or have obesity, followed by a study that concluded that maternal gestational diabetes impacted the likelihood of diabetes development among offspring.

Other popular stories included reports detailing the benefits of lorcaserin and ipragliflozin and findings that the more aggressive a child is, the greater their chance of gaining excessive weight. – by Janel Miller

FDA approves hydrogel pill for overweight, obesity

The FDA on approved an oral hydrogel therapy that induces feelings of fullness without adding calories for adults who are overweight or have obesity, according to a press release from Gelesis. Read more.

Gestational diabetes doubles risk for incident diabetes into young adulthood

Children of mothers with gestational diabetes are at higher risk for developing diabetes during childhood and adolescence than those born to mothers without the condition, according to findings presented in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Read more.

Lorcaserin facilitates weight loss despite presence of obstructive sleep apnea

Adults with overweight or obesity and obstructive sleep apnea assigned to the serotonin receptor agonist lorcaserin lost weight at a rate similar to those without obstructive sleep apnea, with 47% experiencing at least 5% weight loss and 22.2% experiencing at least 10% weight loss at 1 year, according to findings from a retrospective analysis published in Obesity Science & Practice. Read more.

Ipragliflozin enhances glycemic management, but fails to curb appetite

The SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin can help adults with type 2 diabetes to meet glycemic and weight targets, although it may not alter feelings of hunger, according to findings presented in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation. Read more.

Childhood aggression negatively influences BMI

Children who act more aggressively may be more likely to gain excessive weight than those who are less aggressive, according to study findings presented in Obesity. Read more.