Many Americans are looking to slim down and promote overall health and wellness in 2015. Although not a bad goal, health-related resolutions leave consumers vulnerable to the onslaught of fad diets, weight-loss products and flab reducers that infiltrate the market after the holiday season.
The following are the top six weight-loss trends that resulted in rulings of false advertising or consumer harm:
#6 – Sensa
You may recall the inane Sensa commercials featuring bright-eyed body-mass-index heroes in coordinated outfits, dancing on the beach, instructing viewers to “shake that Sensa!” The product was packaged similarly to a salt shaker and contained a powder promising to make consumers feel full faster. The product also promised to transform bodies without exercise or additional diet restrictions. Early in 2014, the makers of Sensa agreed to pay $26.5 million to the Federal Trade Commission to settle major claims of false advertising.
#5 – Human chorionic gonadotropin
Marketed as HCG, this weight-loss trick was made from a hormone produced by the human placenta. For years, drug and grocery stores sold HCG despite major warnings from the Food and Drug Administration that there was no reliable, scientific proof that the product helped consumers shed pounds. Client testimonials were often packed with claims that users could lose up to 50 pounds just by dropping some HCG under their tongue before eating. In December 2014, HCG manufacturers forked over $1 million to settle claims of false advertising and deceptive trade practices.
#4 – Muscle toning footwear
Both Reebok and Sketchers faced similar reprimands by the FTC with regard to their claims that their sneakers could transform consumers’ backsides as they walked. After touting claims like “better legs and a better butt with every step” or “make your bottom half your better half,” Reebok and Sketchers eventually settled with the FTC for $25 million and $40 million, respectively.
#3 – Sports supplement DMAA
Taking a supplement can be a great way to maintain balance while building muscle, particularly for hard-training athletes. However, seeking professional advice from a medical doctor or trainer prior to embarking on this type of wellness remedy is always advised. In 2012, a class-action lawsuit was filed by several consumers claiming injury from supplements containing the controversial ingredient 1,3-dimethylamylamine, or DMAA. Allegedly, DMAA, which has since been banned by the FDA, can cause liver failure or death if taken in large doses and is actually a derivative of amphetamine. Federal authorities continue to investigate ongoing deaths and health complications linked to DMAA, and they have ordered all known manufactures to cease production immediately.
#2 – Bowflex
Believe it or not, the beautiful people featured in the late night Bowflex ads who claim to workout something like 14 minutes every other day may have actually reached their fitness apex using other means. In a recent lawsuit over the truthfulness of Boxflex marketing techniques, a federal judge in Utah held that the manufacturer Nautilus unlawfully made claims that its machines are comprised of “patented components” when, in fact, Nautilus does not hold any patents on its Bowflex machines.
#1 – Abdominal machines & gadgets
Probably the most sought-after hot body feature is the “washboard abs” look, making abdominal machines one of the top workout scams of all time. Beginning in the 1950s with the electric abdominal stimulation belts, right up to today’s Ab Circle Pro, which just settled with the FTC for $25 million, and the Ab Energizer, which has FTC charges pending, many abdominal workout scams lure consumers with claims that achieving a perfect midsection can be accomplished without much work or change in lifestyle.
Of course, the only surefire way to obtain a toned, fit, and healthy body is to pursue a balanced diet coupled with regular exercise – and to leave the scams and tricks in the dust.
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