Compositions and Methods for the Control, Prevention and Treatment of Obesity and Eating Disorders

Abstract

Compositions and methods for preventing, treating or controlling conditions or disorders associated with obesity, diet and nutrition are provided. The methods provided generally involve the administration of an Amylin or an Amylin agonist to a subject in order to prevent, treat or control conditions or disorders associated with obesity, diet and nutrition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating or reducing food cravings in a subject in need of treatment or reduction in food cravings comprising administering to the subject an amylin or amylin agonist in an amount effective to treat or reduce food cravings of the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food cravings are high fat food cravings or sweet food cravings. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is administered in an amount effective to reduce the subject's high fat food cravings or sweet food cravings. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is under stressed conditions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:3-253. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is pramlintide (SEQ ID NO:6). 
     
     
         7 . A method of modifying food preference of a subject desirous of modifying food preferences comprising administering to the subject an amylin or amylin agonist in an amount effective to modify the food preferences of the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is administered in an amount effective to decrease the subject's preference for high fat foods or for sweet foods. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is administered in an amount effective to increase the subject's preference for low fat foods. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:3-253. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is pramlintide (SEQ ID NO:6). 
     
     
         12 . A method of modulating the metabolic rate of a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an amylin or amylin agonist in an amount effective to modulate the metabolic rate of the subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is administered in an amount effective to increase the metabolic rate. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the subject has a reduced caloric intake as compared to in the absence of administration of the amylin or amylin agonist. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the subject's body weight and waist circumference are decreased as compared to in the absence of administration of the amylin or amylin agonist. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the subject is obese. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:3-253. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist is pramlintide (SEQ ID NO:6). 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating binge eating in a subject in need of treatment thereof comprising administering to the subject an amylin or amylin agonist in an amount effective to treat binge eating. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the amylin or amylin agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:3-253.