The Light Study, a New Long-Term Weight Management Research Study, Begins Enrolling Patients at Wake Research Associates in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, NC, August 31, 2012 --(PR.com)-- “Take Five to Live Light” Campaign Launched for Obesity Awareness

Wake Research Associates today announced that the Light Study, a unique medical research study evaluating an investigational medication for weight loss, has begun enrolling patients at its site. The research study is sponsored by Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. Obesity affects more than 93 million Americans and is predicted to increase to 120 million Americans within the next five years.i Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, sleep apnea and potentially a variety of other conditions. Medical research suggests that losing just 5 percent of your body weight can significantly improve your health and quality of life.ii,iii

“Losing just 5 to 10 percent of body weight has proven health benefits,” said principal investigator Dr. Wayne Harper. “For example, losing 10 to 20 pounds for a 200 pound person may have a significant and positive impact on an individual’s health. Because many people cannot achieve this amount of weight loss by diet and exercise alone, new medical approaches are needed. Research has demonstrated the investigational medicine being evaluated in the Light Study may reduce appetite, increase metabolism, and control cravings and overeating behaviors. Wake Research is proud to contribute to this critical research.”

The “Take Five to Live Light” campaign, which was launched nationally in June 2012, encourages those suffering from obesity to take five minutes to learn about how losing just five percent of their weight can benefit cardiovascular health and to take five minutes to get screened for the Light Study. Individuals interested in participating in the Light Study can visit www.thelightstudy.com to be screened for trial participation.

Individuals may qualify for the Light Study if they are men age 45 or older or women age 50 or older; need to lose weight; and have heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes with certain heart risk factors. Those who qualify and choose to participate in the Light Study will take part in an innovative, comprehensive weight management program called WeightMate™. Delivered through an internet-based platform by accredited health and fitness professionals, WeightMate™ provides a convenient, progressive nutrition and exercise program with goal setting and tracking tools.

If you participate in the Light Study you may also have the opportunity to receive the investigational medication. There is no guarantee that the study medication will cause you to lose weight.

i Understanding obesity: an educational resource provided by the Obesity Action Coalition. Obesity Action Coalition. Available at
http://www.obesityaction.org/wp-content/uploads/Understanding_Obesity.pdf. Accessed on April 4, 2012.
ii Wing RR, Lang W, Wadden TA, et al. Benefits of modest weight loss in improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and
obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2011 Jul;34(7):1481-6.
iii Williamson DF, Thompson TJ, Thun M, et al. Intentional weight loss and mortality among overweight individuals with diabetes.
Diabetes Care. 2000 Oct;23(10):1499-504.