How To Spot Weight Loss Scams

According to statistics, of about 30,000 claims, treatments and theories for losing weight, fewer than 6 percent are effective and 13 percent are clearly dangerous. In other words, if you randomly pick a weight loss program or product, chances are it is either useless or potentially harmful. So how do you avoid weight loss scams? Below we list some red flags to help you spot programs or promotions based on commercial interests rather than science. (This list is based in part on the materials from National Council Against Health Fraud Newsletter).

A weight loss program is likely to be unsound if:

• It promises rapid, dramatic weight loss, usually significantly greater than 1 percent of total body weight per week.
• It promotes very low calorie diets (e.g. below 800 calories a day) without close medical supervision.
• It fails to encourage permanent, realistic lifestyle changes.
• It attempts to get clients "hooked" on special products, such as special prepackaged meals or supplements, rather than educating people on sound weight loss methods.
• It provides counseling by people who are employed or otherwise affiliated with the company that sells this weight loss program. There is a clear conflict of interest when providers directly profit from products they recommend or sell.
• It asks for large upfront payments or to sign a contract for expensive, long-term treatment.
• It fails to inform of the possible risks associated with weight loss in general or their methods in particular.
• It promotes scientifically sounding but unproved weight loss aids (e.g. electric muscle stimulating devices, diuretics, glucomannan, mineral complexes, etc).