The Dark Side of Weight-Control Quackery from Fitness Elements Express!

The Dark Side of Weight-Control Quackery

How Weight-Loss Quackery Harms

Did you know that that every year Americans have spent $33 billion annually on weight loss foods, products, services, and the next diet fad and trend (ADA,2009)? That is an unbelievable number of weight-loss gimmicks that we as Americans and our obsession with losing weight have truly thrown right into the toilet. While some weight-loss frauds merely slim down the wallets (instead of the bodies) of those who get confused and use them, others may endanger their victims. When will this ever stop? And, of course, almost all of them fail to produce permanent weight loss. I guess if you are too lazy to truly investigate or do your own homework part of this responsibility should lie on you! Yes I said you! It may sound harsh but I've been around far too long and know the truth about weight loss and you should by know too!

Diet quacks want people to believe that special food combinations and/ or supplements promote quick and effortless weight loss (Barrett). The bottom line is input and output my health and fitness friends. What that means to you is an appropriate amount of exercise and eating that is customized to fit your whole health, fitness, and nutritional needs period.

How Weight-Loss Quackery Harms

Frances Berg, MS, RD, editor of the Healthy Weight Journal, notes that the most insidious aspect of weight-loss quackery is that it creates false hope for people trying to lose weight. Repeated attempts to lose weight, followed by the inevitable regain, bring on a sense of failure, shame, and powerlessness. It batters the self-esteem and is psychologically damaging. With their magical solutions and outrageous promises, weight-loss quacks undermine responsible weight management programs and make them seem ineffective by comparison (Berg).

Kelly Brownell, an obesity expert in the psychology department at Yale University, states, "When I get calls about the latest diet fad, I imagine a trick birthday cake candle that keeps lighting up and we have to keep blowing it out" (Liebman).

Weight loss is a lucrative field for quacks, and they are not shy about exploiting it. Our first Amendment protects them. To help combat weight-loss quackery, health and fitness professionals should be able to both recognize dietary fads and educate their clients on proper weight-loss strategies. So my health and fitness friends when you are searching for the proper education and right approach to your weight loss strategy and weight management make sure you use your wisdom and gut on this one it could cost you your life.

References: Nutrition Dimension, Ellen Coleman, (Barrett and Herbert),(Liebman), and (Berg).


By, Natalie Pyles


NSA Speaker, Author, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist, Health, Fitness, and Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator

Have a happy and healthy day!!