Résumé
In this study, real-time ultrasonography was used to estimate the rate of gastric emptying both in 30 obese and 20 non-obese healthy Egyptians. All were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination and blood glucose estimation to exclude diabetes mellitus. Body mass index and skin fold were also measured. Abdominal ultrasonography was also done with measurement of the gastric emptying rate after giving 500 ml of fresh tap water. The study showed no significant difference in the half gastric emptying time between obese and non-obese. The mean cross sectional areas of the gastric antrum also showed no significant difference between both groups. It is concluded that gastric emptying rate is not altered in obesity and has no role in its pathogenesis and hence in its treatment. This means that the drugs acting locally on the stomach, by modifying the rate of its emptying, are of no value in the treatment of obesity