What To Watch Out For

A weight-loss product or program may be fraudulent if it does one or more of the following:

• Claims or implies a large, fast weight loss--often promised as easy, effortless, guaranteed, or permanent
• Implies weight can be lost without restricting calories or exercising, and discounts the benefits of exercise
• Uses typical quackery terms such as: miraculous, breakthrough, exclusive, secret, unique, ancient, accidental discovery, doctor developed
• Claims to get rid of "cellulite"
• Relies heavily on undocumented case histories, before and after photos, and testimonials by "satisfied customers" (who are often paid for testimony which is written by the advertiser)
• Misuses medical or technical terms, refers to studies without giving complete references, claims government approval
• Professes to be a treatment for a wide range of ailments and nutritional deficiencies as well as for weight loss
• Promotes a medically unsupervised diet of less than 1000 calories per day
• Requires special foods purchased from the company rather than conventional stores
• Promotes a nutritional plan without relying on at least one author or counselor with nutrition credentials. (Nutrition educators and Registered Dietitians are preferred. The science of nutrition is taught only through college of Home Economics and related departments, not through the mail.)
• Fails to state risks or recommend a medical exam
• Grants mystical properties to certain foods or ingredients
• Is sold by self-proclaimed health advisors or "nutritionists," often door-to-door or in health food stores
• Uses high pressure sales tactics, one-time-only deals, or recruitment for a pyramid sales organization.

Subject every new program to this rigorous evaluation and you're on your way to becoming quack-proof.