- Paunch Lines: Weight Loss Claims
Are No Joke For Dieters
Are you one of the estimated 50 million Americans
who will go on a diet this year? If so, you may be tempted by advertisements for products
promising easy, quick ways to lose weight. You should know that when it comes to losing
weight, gimmicks usually dont deliver on their promises.
While some dieters succeed in taking off weight, perhaps as few as five
percent manage to keep it off in the long run. Most experts agree that the best way to
lose weight is to eat fewer calories and burn more energy by increasing physical activity.
Experts suggest aiming for a goal loss of about a pound a week. This usually means cutting
about 500 calories a day from your diet, eating healthy, low-fat foods, finding a regular
exercise activity you enjoy, and sticking to it.
When it comes to evaluating claims for weight loss products, the Federal
Trade Commission recommends a healthy portion of skepticism. Before you spend money on
products or programs that promise fast or easy weight loss, weigh the claims and consider
these tips:
- "Lose 30 Pounds in Just 30 Days." As a
rule, the faster you lose weight, the more likely you are to gain it back. Also, fast
weight loss could harm your health. Unless your doctor advises it, dont look for
programs that promise quick weight loss.
- "Lose All the Weight You Can For Just $39.99."
Some weight loss programs have hidden costs. For example, some dont advertise the
fact that you must buy their prepackaged meals that cost more than the program fees.
Before you sign up for any weight loss program, ask for all the costs. Get them in
writing.
- "Lose Weight While You Sleep." Claims
for diet products and programs that promise weight loss without effort are phony.
- "Lose Weight And Keep It Off For Good."
Be suspicious about products promising long-term or permanent weight loss. To lose weight
and keep it off, you must change how you eat and how much you exercise.
- "John Doe Lost 84 Pounds in Six Weeks."
Dont be misled by someone elses weight loss claims. Even if the claims are
true, someone elses success may have little relation to your own chances of success.
- "Scientific Breakthrough...Medical Miracle."
There are no miracle weight loss products. To lose weight, you have to reduce your intake
of calories and increase your physical activity. Be skeptical about exaggerated claims.
For more information, visit the
Federal
Trade Commission's web site. Additional information on nutrition and weight loss is
available through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases Weight-control
Information Network (1-800-WIN-8098). To report fraudulent weight loss product claims,
contact your state Attorney General, local consumer protection office, or Better Business
Bureau.
The FTC works for the consumer to
prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the
marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and
avoid them. To file a
complaint or to get free information
on consumer issues, visit
www.ftc.gov or
call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The
FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related
complaints into
Consumer Sentinel, a
secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law
enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
|
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION |
FOR THE CONSUMER |
1-877-FTC-HELP |
www.ftc.gov |
|
March 1997 |