Would you buy a laser light from a retailer who claims that the light opens up cells and drains the fat away? Would you buy a liquid that, when placed under your tongue, promises to melt away a pound or two a day?
Based on nominations by health professionals and consumers across the country, these weight-loss scams were selected as two of the worst by the Healthy Weight Network and the National Council Against Health Fraud.
Why are the scammers working overtime? Because the potential market for weight-loss products is huge. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and troubled by that fact.
According to the 2011 Food & Health Survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation, 70 percent of the Americans surveyed report being concerned about their weight, and 77 percent are trying to lose weight or maintain their weight. Consumers, desperate to shed unwanted pounds, are easy prey for scam artists selling fraudulent “get thin quick” schemes.
Like the size of our waists, the size of the US market for weight-loss products is expanding. Growing at an annual rate of nearly 11 percent for the past five years, the market for weight-loss products(food, drugs, supplements, services, ingredients, devices, accessories and cosmetics)in 2014 is projected to reach $586 billion.
Fraudulent products trim your bank account, and some can rob you of your health—even your life. Michael Levy, director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Division of New Drugs and Labeling Compliance, warns consumers that the agency has found supplements that contain dangerous concoctions of hidden ingredients that can cause death. “Make no mistake—they can kill you,” Levy says. The problem has become so big that the agency is asking for help from consumers and the food supplement industry to identify these dangerous products.
Protect your health and your wallet by learning how to spot weight-loss scams. Here are three claims tip you off to fraudulent products:
1. Lose ugly belly fat with our revolutionary product. Discover the benefits of this miraculous diet supplement that safely produces rapid weight loss in even the most stubborn cases. Thousands of satisfied customers can’t be wrong.
2. Indulge in your favorite foods, forget about boring exercise—and still lose weight! Our researchers discovered a breakthrough supplement that can effortlessly boost your metabolism and make fat cells and cellulite disappear while you sleep.
3. Try our product today before the special introductory offer ends. Order a six-month supply of our exclusive product and enjoy more energy, better sleep and more satisfying sex. If you’re not completely satisfied, return the unused portion, and your money will be refunded.
As you can see, the features of the scams typically include an undocumented research breakthrough, unrealistic claims, effortless weight loss and a wide range of benefits unrelated to weight loss. Scammers also ask for payment up-front, count on the fact that most dissatisfied customers will not bother to request a refund. Customers who do request a refund may be ignored.
If you need to lose weight, begin with a healthcare professional, such as a dietitian or your local physician. Check to see if your hospital has a wellness center that offers free or low-cost health education. Focus on improving your health by adopting more healthful habits. And before you purchase any weight-loss product, check the Food and Drug Administration’s consumer update. Your goal is to become fit—weight loss is a wonderful by-product.
Independent of what any advertisement claims, the rules for losing weight remain unchanged—exercise regularly and consume fewer calories each day than your body burns. You can be certain that any claim that tries to persuade you otherwise is a scam.
Photo courtesy of Rob Owen-Wahl
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