HW220 UNIT 8CONTEMPORARY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS

Kristin HenningsenJennifer Koslo, MS, RD, CSSD, ACE-CPT

WEIGHT LOSS ADVERTISING

Focus of tonight’s seminar is on current trends in weight-loss advertising

Please be sure that you have downloaded and reviewed the FTC publication “Weight-loss advertising: An analysis of current trends”

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/reports/weightloss.pdf

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION

Established in 1914 Independent agency Mission is promotion of consumer protection

FUNCTIONS OF FTC

1. Law enforcement

2. Regulate the industry

3. Protect the public

ENFORCEMENT HISTORY

First weight-loss case was in 1927: McGowan’s Reducine. Unsupported claims

After 1994 DHSEA and shift of responsibility number of cases has increased exponentially – why is that? What did DSHEA do?

SURGEON GENERALS CALL TO ACTION

December 2001 the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity was released

Community & personal responsibility The media is a member of the

community that can assist in implementation

THE MEDIA

The Surgeon General’s report charged the media with “encouraging truthful and reasonable consumer goals for weight loss programs and weight management products”

FTC REPORT

FTC and the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management

Purpose is to promote sound guidance on strategies for achieving & maintaining a healthy weight

SEMINAR Q#1:

Why is weight-loss advertising a concern of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection?

FTC ACT

Advertising of products and services for weight loss is governed by the same legal standards that apply to all other product & service promotions:

1. The ad must be truthful and not misleading

2. Advertiser must have adequate proof for all objective product claims

SEMINAR Q#2

According to the FTC report what are some of the results that are promised by weight-loss advertisers?

RESULTS

Pounds “melt away” “You continue to eat your

favorite foods” “Quick results” “No exercise” “Guaranteed”

CLAIMS BY CATEGORY

Testimonials Before/after photos Rapid weight-loss claims Lose weight without diet

or exercise Scientifically

proven/doctor endorsed What are some others?

ADVERTISING PATTERNS

Most ads use one or more techniques Historical comparison 1992 to 2001: number of

weight-loss advertisements increased 129% and products increased 157%!!

Increase in consumer testimonials has increased as well as claims that are obviously false

SEMINAR Q#3 What role do evidence-based guidelines

play in helping Americans maintain a healthy body weight?

EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINES FOR WEIGHT LOSS Issued by NIH Simultaneously

reduce calories and increase physical activity

Safe rate is 1-2# loss per week, 10% of body weight in 6 months

One pound of fat = 3500 calories

Create 500 to 1000 calorie deficit per day

EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINES FOR WEIGHT LOSS Very low calorie diets

produce fast weight loss but low long term success

Focus on a balanced diet with adequate nutrients, fiber and vitamins and minerals

EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINES FOR WEIGHT LOSS Focus on behavior

changes Daily physical

activity Stress reduction Lifestyle changes

OVERALL REPORT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is considerable room for improvement in

weight-loss advertising! What were some of their findings? What were some of their recommendations?

SUMMARY

False and deceptive advertising puts the public at risk

The public should make an effort to educate themselves on safe weight loss and how to recognize scams

Public should follow evidence-based weight loss guidelines and not look for the “miracle cure”

FTC regulates and enforces the law with the weight loss industry however it cannot keep up with the scams!

Caveat emptor!

LEARNING ACTIVIES 1. Reading: In this unit you will read 378-379 in Food Politics; Chapters 2, 14,

15, and 23 in Williams; and visit a website provided by your instructor.

2. Key Concepts: You will review the key concepts for contemporary weight loss programs.

3. Further Notes: You will review the course material notes broken up by lessons under Unit 8.

4. Discussion: This week our discussion will focus on the weight loss medications to treat obesity.

5. Seminar: You will attend a seminar that deals with weight loss advertising.

6. Web Resources: You will review the links in this unit to learn more about contemporary weight loss programs.

7. Unit 8 Project: You will complete and submit the Unit 8 Project.