Yesterday, there was an article in our local paper on a topic that needed to be brought to your attention. Weight-loss scams have been going on for years and last year was no different. It was the #1 consumer scam according to the Federal Trade Commission.
4.8 million consumers were victims of fraud last year. Why so many??
Because there are over 100 million people considered overweight in our country. As a result, weight loss products bring in a whopping $55 BILLION a year.
Consumers should be aware of any "miracle" claims by companies of weight loss products. Anything too good to be true, probably is.
Here are a few companies that the Better Business Bureau says have an unsatisfactory rating:
Metacor Labs or Progenics, Inc.
Wu-Yi Source
Changes International Inc.
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Not all weight loss products are scams, but if they make the following claims, then buyer beware:
1. There's no scientific evidence that the product promoted weight loss.
2. The product promises to reduce fat or cellulite in specific areas (nothing does this. You can't spot reduce. You burn equal amounts of fats in all the fat deposit stores in your body. The place where you have the most amount of fat will take the longest to burn away).
3. The product promises weight loss without exercise or proper nutritional intake.
4. The company promises large advanced payments or long-term contracts.
People desire weight loss so bad that they are blinded by the facts. If it promises 30 pounds lost in 30 days, people believe it. This makes my job harder and harder to try and convince people this isn't the way. That one person you connect with and loses weight the right way makes it all worth while. The joy, happiness, and self confidence inspires me and trainers such as myself to take on this battle of the bulge and try to help that next person out there.
So beware of that next great weight loss product. The only loss could be the money from your pocket.
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