Catgut Implantation at Acupoints for the Treatment of Simple Obesity

Inclusion criteria Patients recruited for this study should meet the following inclusion criteria: 1. meeting the diagnosis standard for simple obesity in Redefinition and Processing of Obesity in Asia \& Pacific Area released by WHO in February 2000; 2. age: 18-45; 3. BMI: 25≤BMI\<30; 4. waistline: males ≥95 cm; females ≥85 cm; 5. smokers have not changed their smoking habits for at least 2 months; 6. willing to accept the above-described intervention methods. Exclusion criteria Patients with any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study: 1. endocrine disease (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, Cushing's Disease, and hypothyroidism, among others); 2. gestational diabetes or uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥160 mmHg; DBP ≥100 mmHg) \[23\], or lung, heart, liver or kidney disease; 3. nervous system disease or mental disorders, history of hospitalized depression, two instances of paralepsy or suicidal tendency; 4. history of clinical diagnosis of an eating disorder , such as bulimia or cynorexia, anorexia; or weight changes greater than 5 kg in the previous 3 months; 5. history of weight loss with surgery or a history of post-operative adhesion; 6. having taken drugs with a known influence on weight or appetite in the previous 3 months, such as diet pills, corticosteroid drugs, anti-depression drugs, diazepam drugs, nonselective body antihistamine, nicotine replacements, or hypoglycaemic drugs, or planning to give up smoking and drinking; 7. pregnancy, lactation, or planning to become pregnant within 40 weeks; 8. received catgut implantation at acupoints; 9. participated in clinical research on obesity in the previous 3 months ; 10. protein allergy and scars; 11. skin disease such as eczema and psoriasis; 12. coagulation disorders, taking warfarin, heparin or other anticoagulant drugs; 13. not cooperative or cannot maintain treatment during the study period.