Provided are methods of treating obesity and effecting desired weight loss or preventing undesired weight gain by administration of a preferential muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 antagonist, optionally with at least one antidepressant other than a selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 antagonist. The preferential muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 antagonist, optionally can be administered with an anti-obesity agent, for example, an anorexiant. The invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions and kits for administration of at least one selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 antagonist in combination with at least one antidepressant other than a selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 antagonist.