Five Weight Loss scams to avoid in 2016!

Does “Lose Weight” fall under one of your New Year’s Resolutions?

Five Weight Loss scams to avoid in 2016!

Jamie Carpenter MS, RD, LDN Program Dietitian

Do any of these “claims” sound familiar? “Lose 15 pounds in one month without changing your diet”, “Use this fitness device for just five minutes a day will produce the same results as 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise”. Save your wallet and don’t fall victim to false advertising schemes, false marketing and celebrity endorsements. Also, some of these “claims” can be harmful! If something sounds too good to be true, then generally it is!

Dietary supplements are NOT regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dietary supplement companies do NOT need FDA approval prior to marketing. Just because a supplement is being sold does not mean that it is safe!

According to the FDA, warning signs and questions to ask to determine if a product is unsafe and/or a scam include (1):

1. Does the product promise a quick fix?
2. Is the product advertised or marketed through mass email or social media?
3. Is the product advertised or marketed as an “herbal alternative” to an “FDA-approved” weight loss drug?
4. Are terms used such as “scientific breakthrough” or “guaranteed” in advertising    and marketing?
5. Is product marketed in a foreign language?

Advice from the FDA recommended to consumers if a product is marketed as a dietary supplement (1):

1. Seek the advice from a trusted healthcare professional as to whether a dietary supplement is needed.
2. Ask yourself if the product sounds too good to be true.
3. Exercise caution if a product seems unrealistic.
4. Scrutinize exaggerated patient testimonials.
5. Analyze products with exaggerated claims such as “totally safe” or “quick and effective”.

The biggest predictor of successful weight loss and weight maintenance is setting realistic goals and making behavior changes…NOT depending on a supplement or a quick fix! Successful weight loss and weight maintenance depends on making healthy lifestyle changes!

”Lifestyle to LIFE…dieting to DIE…” – Jamie Carpenter, MS, RD, LDN

What will you chose as part of your 2016 “weight loss” resolution?!?!

I hope you will chose LIFESTYLE CHANGE!

(1) For Consumers. Beware of Products Promising Miracle Weight Loss. Available at   :http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm246742.htm Accessed on October 19, 2015.