Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating the symptoms of obesity which comprises administering to a human or other mammal suffering from the symptoms of obesity an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of the optically active compounds especially the (-) negative stereoisomers represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 R.sub.2,R.sub.3,R.sub.4,R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are defined by the specification substituted or unsubstituted phenyls, pyridyl, hydroxyphenyl, ##STR2## X is oxygen or sulfur, Y is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, nitro, cyano, azido, amino, acylamino, carboxyamido, trifluoromethyl, sulfate, sulfonamido, halogen, hydrocarbyl and hetero atom-substituted hydrocarbyl radicals, wherein said heteroatoms are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus and said hydrocarbyl radicals comprise from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and a is an integer of from zero to 3,R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.