by
Renee Kennedy
The
FTC has released an 18-page report to help
the media identify products that use fraudulent
weight loss claims in their sales pitch. The
report, Red
Flag Bogus Weight Loss Claims, is available
here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/redflag/.
Although
it is geared toward the media, consumers may
also learn from the brochure.
Below
are the seven warnings of the report.
FICTION:
Products that claim you can lose two or more
pounds per week without dieting and exercise.
A claim is false if it is telling you that
you can quickly lose weight, drop dress sizes,
lose inches, or lose body fat without changing
your lifestyle. FACT: Losing weight will require
you to change your eating and exercise habits.
FICTION:
Products that claim you can eat whatever you
want and however much you want with no limits.
A pill that will allow you to eat whatever
you want and still lose weight? Science may
be good, but it's not going to change the
laws of physics. FACT: What goes into your
body must go somewhere, whether it is expended
into energy, turned into fat, or turned into
waste; your body must do the work to expend
the calories.
FICTION:
Products that claim your weight loss will
be permanent even after you stop using the
product. A pill that will curb your appetite
is only going to work while you use the pill.
FACT: Anything permanent is going to require
a permanent lifestyle change.
FICTION:
Products that claim they will block absorption
of calories or fat and lead to substantial
weight loss. FACT: Even fat blockers must
be used in conjunction with a lower calorie
diet.
FICTION:
Products that claim you can safely lose more
than three pounds a week for more than four
weeks at a time. You should consult your health
care professional for what your goal weight
loss should be every week, especially if you
are diagnosed with obesity. FACT: Intense
weight loss of more than three pounds per
week over several consecutive weeks can be
damaging to your organs and cause health problems.
FICTION:
Products that claim all users will lose substantial
weight. FACT: No product can work for everyone.
FICTION:
Products that are worn on the body or rubbed
on the skin will cause substantial weight
loss. Patches, creams, lotions, body wraps,
clothing, shoes, earrings, rings, belts, buzzers,
etc. etc. - leading to weight loss? FACT:
Weight loss can only occur through changes
in diet and exercise.
Need
help losing weight? Come and visit the NutriCounter
web site http://www.nutricounter.com
and find out how you can learn to eat healthier.
