Frances Berg of the Healthy Weight Network has reported "the worst weight loss products of 2004" as selected by The Weight Loss Abuse Task Force for the National Council Against Health Fraud. Her press release is below. And the winners are....
Weight Loss Abuse Task Force Announces Worst Weight Loss Products of 2004
The Slim Chance Awards recognize the worst diet gimmicks on the market, with the hope of promoting true health and wellness.
Hettinger, ND. December 20, 2004 -- The Weight Loss Abuse Task Force for the National Council Against Health Fraud announces the 16th annual Slim Chance Awards, highlighting this year's worst diet schemes. Chaired by Frances Berg, nutritionist and family wellness specialist, the Task Force recognizes this year's worst diet gimmicks, including green tea patches for your thigh and pills that target specific "problems" like abdominal fat, menopausal weight gain and the low-carb fad.
"These products and countless others promise quick weight loss with no effort," Berg explains. "They need to be exposed as scams that lighten your wallet but not your body."
Berg's organization, the Healthy Weight Network, started the Slim Chance Awards 16 years ago as a reaction to the glut of unsafe products on the market. The awards are part of the lead-up to Healthy Weight Week, January 16 to 22.
"We want to shift our national focus to health and wellness, to acceptance, respect and an appreciation of diversity," explains Berg, author of the new book "Underage and Overweight." "It's time to move on from the war so many Americans are waging against their own bodies."
Here are the Slim Chance Awards for the "worst" of 2004:
* Worst Gimmick: Green Tea300 patches
Four patches come free when you buy $59.99 worth of tea. Claimed to burn fat, suppress appetite, increase thermogenesis, and speed the metaboic rate without increasing hypertension or heart rate. Advertised through email spam.
* Most Outrageous: EstrinD
Billed as the first and only diet pill for menopausal and pre-menopausal weight gain, EstrinD is touted to reduce calorie intake, stop binge eating, increase metabolism, control mood swings, and provide a sense of well being. Nearly full-page advertisement in USA WEEKEND.
*Worst Product: CortiSlim
Falsely claims that reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, with CortiSlim will cause rapid fat loss from abdomen and thighs. Nationally aired infomercials use a deceptive "talk show" format, FTC charges.
* Worst Claim: Carboburn
For low-carb dieters wearied of living without carbs, it's no longer necessary. "CarboBurn will neutralize the carbohydrates...block the storage of fat before it attaches to your stomach, waist, thighs, buns...chisel your fat away and let lean muscle shine through...and it doesn't matter if you hate exercise." Advertised online.
# # #
About Frances Berg
Former editor, publisher and founder of Healthy Weight Journal, Frances (Francie) M. Berg, M.S., L.N., has reviewed research, news and commentary across the weight spectrum over 20 years for health professionals and consumers worldwide. A licensed nutritionist and family wellness specialist, she is the author of eleven books. Berg's newest book "Underage & Overweight" includes a 7-point plan for raising healthy weight children and offers advice to parents who fear their child may be trying to lose weight in dangerous ways.
For more information, please visit and utilize the many weight loss and health-related resources at www.healthyweight.net. Frances Berg is available for interviews by calling 701-567-2646 or emailing her (fmberg@healthyweight.net) with "Berg interview" in the subject line.
Contact:
Frances Berg
701-567-2646
(fmberg@healthyweight.net)
Comments