Commercial Weight-Loss Promotions (1987)

NCAHF disparages commercial weight-loss or control programs that:

• Promise or imply dramatic, rapid weight-loss (ie, substantially more than one-percent of total body weight per week).
• Promote diets that are extremely low in calories (ie, below 800 KCal per day / 1200 KCal per day preferred) unless under the supervision of competent medical experts.
• Attempt to make clients dependent upon special products rather than teaching how to make good choices from the conventional food supply (this does not condemn the marketing of low-calorie convenience foods which may be chosen by consumers).
• Do not encourage permanent, realistic lifestyle changes including regular exercise and the behavioral aspects of eating wherein food may be used as a coping device (ie, programs should focus upon changing the causes of overweight rather than simply the effects, which is the overweight itself).
• Misrepresent salespeople as "counselors" supposedly qualified to give guidance in nutrition and/or general health. Even if adequately trained, such "counselors" would still be objectionable because of the obvious conflict-of-interest that exists when a provider profits directly from products they recommend and sell.
• Require large sums of money at the start or make clients sign contracts for expensive, long-term programs. Such practices too often have been abused as salespeople focus attention on signing-up new people rather than delivering continuing, satisfactory service to consumers. Programs should be on a pay-as-you-go basis.
• Fail to inform clients about the risks associated with-weight-loss or the specific program.
• Promote unproven or spurious weight-loss aids such as HCG, starch blockers, diuretics, sauna belts, body wraps, passive exercise, ear staples, acupuncture, Electric muscle stimulators, spirulina, phenylalanine, arginine, etc.
• Claim that "cellulite" exists in the body.
• Claim that use of an appetite suppressant or methylcellulose enables a person to lose body fat without restricting accustomed caloric intake.
• Claim that a weight control product contains a unique ingredient or component unless it is unavailable in other weight control products.