Transcript HW220 Unit 8 Contemporary Weight Loss Programs

HW220 UNIT 8
CONTEMPORARY WEIGHT LOSS
PROGRAMS
Kristin Henningsen
Jennifer 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
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THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC)
BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
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Established in 1914
Independent agency
Mission is promotion of consumer protection
FUNCTIONS OF FTC
1.
2.
3.
Law enforcement
Regulate the industry
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
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THE MEDIA
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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.
2.
The ad must be truthful and not
misleading
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
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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?
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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!
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LEARNING ACTIVIES
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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.