As health care professionals, we are concerned about the epidemic of obesity: the relations between excess body weight and such medical conditions as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and certain cancers (such as breast, ovarian, prostate and colon) are well established. We are equally concerned about false and misleading claims in the advertising of weight loss products and services. Many promise immediate success without the need to reduce caloric intake or increase physical activity. The use of deceptive, false, or misleading claims in weight loss advertising is rampant and potentially dangerous. Many supplements, in particular, are of unproven value or have been linked to serious health risks.

A majority of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. All told, they invest over $30 billion a year in weight loss products and services. These consumers are entitled to accurate, reliable, and clearly-stated information on methods for weight management. They have a right to know if the weight loss products they're buying are helpful, useless, or even dangerous.

For this reason, the staff of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined with the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management–a coalition of representatives from science, academia, the health care professions, government agencies, commercial enterprises, and public interest organizations--to collect and analyze weight loss advertising. The artnership's purpose is to promote sound guidance to the general public on strategies for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. This report by the FTC staff is a major advance in that direction.