When it comes to commercial weight-loss programs and dietary supplements, the nutrition professionals of the American Dietetic Association recommend consumers make their diet decisions based on facts, not hype.
The Federal Trade Commission's report issued today (September 17) on advertising practices of companies that sell weight-loss dietary supplements concluded that the use in ads of "false claims, misleading consumer testimonials and deceptive before-and-after photos" is widespread and that they promise "weight-loss results beyond what is possible."
ADA advises all consumers to keep in mind that there is no "magic bullet" solution to healthful and safe weight management.
"The American Dietetic Association agrees with the report's conclusions, which are consistent with ADA's longstanding positions and our messages to consumers on food and nutrition information, obesity and safe and healthful weight management," said registered dietitian and ADA President Julie O'Sullivan Maillet.
Americans spend more than $30 billion annually on weight-loss products and programs. "Some are based on solid nutrition science, while others are gimmicks with little or no research to show they are effective or safe, especially in the long term," Maillet said.
"The public's interest in addressing food, nutrition and health concerns such as weight loss and maintaining healthy weight afterward is best served by sound science, solid information and a commitment to action, not by fad diets and zealotry for any single approach," she said.
"Weight management is a lifelong process. It means adopting a lifestyle that includes a healthful eating plan, coupled with regular physical activity," Maillet said. "For a tailored approach to weight management, consumers should seek the advice of a dietetics professional, whose expertise is in helping people develop safe and healthful eating plans suited to them personally."
According to the American Dietetic Association's "Food and Nutrition Misinformation" position statement: "Promoters turn preliminary findings into sales pitches with baseless claims, often for the sole purpose of economic gain. Effective nutrition communication is consumer focused and presented with sufficient context to allow consumers to weigh the information and determine whether it applies to his or her unique needs.
"Nationally credentialed dietetics professionals are best prepared to communicate sound advice and scientific advances about nutrition. These dietetics professionals have a responsibility to take an active role in providing accurate, easily understood food and nutrition information, interpreting emerging research for media and consumers and encouraging consumers to look for credentialed dietetics professionals as nutrition experts."
As dietary supplement sales and use have skyrocketed in recent years, Maillet noted that some weight-loss plans require their customers to take supplements. "ADA believes that a diet that requires supplements is by definition unbalanced, and that most healthy people can and should obtain the nutrients they need from food," she said.
"With the exception of such prescribed supplements as prenatal vitamins, most healthy adults who follow a varied, balanced and moderate eating plan -- such as one based on the Food Guide Pyramid -- do not need vitamin or mineral supplements," Maillet said.
On the issue of weight-loss supplements, ADA's official position on "Weight Management," updated and published in June, recommends supplements should be used only by prescription and "only as part of a comprehensive treatment plan including behavior therapy, diet and physical exercise."
"The herbal preparations for weight loss do not have standardized amounts of active ingredients and have been reported to have harmful effects. Certain over-the-counter preparations containing propanolamine [Dexatrim and related compounds] have no proven efficacy for short- or long-term weight loss and are being recalled because of the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke. Ephedrine plus caffeine and fluoxetine have been tested for weight loss but not approved, and over-the-counter and herbal preparations are currently not recommended."
As obesity rates in this country have doubled over the past two decades, to the point where half of all Americans are overweight and childhood obesity has become a significant national health issue of its own, the American Dietetic Association has identified obesity as a primary focus of its work. One of the Association's top priorities is to promote healthy weight for children.
"Addressing obesity will reduce people's risk for many conditions and reduce the soaring health-care costs that are now spent treating diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis and other health- and life-threatening conditions," Maillet said.
"We need coordinated actions by government, educators, the health-care community and the food industry and individuals and their families to make progress in helping all Americans become and stay healthy."
For the most up-to-date and reliable information on food, diets and supplements, consumers can turn to the American Dietetic Association and its nearly 70,000 members. Locate a registered dietitian in your area by visiting ADA's Web site www.eatright.org.
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