The weight loss and weight management issue has always been of great popular interest. People are said to spend in the billions of dollars each year, worlwide, on all kinds of products and programs. Some of those programs are very good, some are just...good and others are outright fraudulent money making "fly-by-nite" schemes.
How many times have you opened a magazine or newspaper or visited a web site to see somebody offering "weight loss magic pills...on special", or some "electronic and magic" gadget you wrap around your waist that supposedly melts the fat away by magic. These ads come complete with "before" and "after" photos and a statement from Mary or John Scamming saying how wonderful fast and easy it was to lose a hundred. It was $200 and is now half price at $100. That may be the only hundred you are about to lose real fast.
The existence of scammers is as old as mankind, from today's scammers to the snake oil peddlers of the far west two centuries ago, all the way to ancient Rome the old trick has always been the same. They promise to deliver some highly desired benefit in some almost miraculous, fast and effortless way...and run away with the money.
So how does one tell friend from foe? What are the characteristics of a credible product or program ? What are the principles behind weight loss or weight management ?
A person's weight is the result of two components: caloric intake and caloric expenditure, added to these two, there should be good nutritional balance. Good weight loss or management plans will satisfy at least one of the two proven principles. The very best ones will also be supported by clinically proven evidence, using statistically valid double-blind studies. The sayings of John and Mary besides the "before and After" photos are NOT valid evidence.
So we shall look for these criteria to be fulfilled
From the above we can now make a rough assessment grid that would help us sort those products or programs. Some entries in the grid are fictitious and are used as example.
How many times have you opened a magazine or newspaper or visited a web site to see somebody offering "weight loss magic pills...on special", or some "electronic and magic" gadget you wrap around your waist that supposedly melts the fat away by magic. These ads come complete with "before" and "after" photos and a statement from Mary or John Scamming saying how wonderful fast and easy it was to lose a hundred. It was $200 and is now half price at $100. That may be the only hundred you are about to lose real fast.
The existence of scammers is as old as mankind, from today's scammers to the snake oil peddlers of the far west two centuries ago, all the way to ancient Rome the old trick has always been the same. They promise to deliver some highly desired benefit in some almost miraculous, fast and effortless way...and run away with the money.
So how does one tell friend from foe? What are the characteristics of a credible product or program ? What are the principles behind weight loss or weight management ?
A person's weight is the result of two components: caloric intake and caloric expenditure, added to these two, there should be good nutritional balance. Good weight loss or management plans will satisfy at least one of the two proven principles. The very best ones will also be supported by clinically proven evidence, using statistically valid double-blind studies. The sayings of John and Mary besides the "before and After" photos are NOT valid evidence.
So we shall look for these criteria to be fulfilled
- Reasonably reduced caloric intake or (adjusted for weight maintenance at achieved goal )
- Reasonably Increased caloric expenditure (adjusted for weight maintenance at achieved goal )
- Offers good nutritional balance
- Supported by credible studies
From the above we can now make a rough assessment grid that would help us sort those products or programs. Some entries in the grid are fictitious and are used as example.
Separating good and sound weight management principles from... the gimmicks
Reference
See also : The American Dietetic Association / Food & Nutrition Information Use Link in e-Library
| Caloric Intake(-) | Caloric Expenditure(+) | Nutritional Balance | Credible claims | Valid Studies | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Miracle Pills" | No | No | No | No | No |
| An ADA prog. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| "Miracle Belt" | No | No | No | No | No |
| "All juice" diet | Yes | No | No | Not probable | No |
| Exercise Bike | No | Yes | No | Probable | Yes |
| Dash Diet prog | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
<< 5/5
<< 5/5
<< 0/5
<< 0/5
<< 1/5
2.5 /5
Granted, this analysis grid is a bit simplistic. However the scammers are sticking out like a flashing sore thumb. They are asking you to spend a lot of money right away while they do not satisfy any of the principles of what could be called the basic fundamentals.
On the other hand, two of the programs satisfy fundamental principles perfectly and they are not asking for any large sum of money - you may have to acquire a book or guide or something else, but this is accessory and rather low-cost. The " ADA prog" entry refers to any program by The American Dietetic Association. The "Dash Diet prog" entry refers to the "Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension" which you can review by visiting sites such as those of the American Heart Association or The Journal of the American Medical Association and many other organizations with established credentials.
The basic fundamentals are simple to comprehend. Take in more energy than needed and you gain weight, take in less and you lose weight. Maintaining an ideal weight is somewhat more complex, as you try to balance intake and expenditure relative to set Ideal Weight Energy Requirements or what hM calls IER. This subject will be discussed in the next issue. We will compare the fundamental equation with a more detailed format aimed at reaching or maintaining ideal weight on the long term. Your Wizard Chef software computes the long version of the equation, it looks at both contributing variables. The difference between the equations will explained clearly. But for now, here is a brief presentation:
On the other hand, two of the programs satisfy fundamental principles perfectly and they are not asking for any large sum of money - you may have to acquire a book or guide or something else, but this is accessory and rather low-cost. The " ADA prog" entry refers to any program by The American Dietetic Association. The "Dash Diet prog" entry refers to the "Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension" which you can review by visiting sites such as those of the American Heart Association or The Journal of the American Medical Association and many other organizations with established credentials.
The basic fundamentals are simple to comprehend. Take in more energy than needed and you gain weight, take in less and you lose weight. Maintaining an ideal weight is somewhat more complex, as you try to balance intake and expenditure relative to set Ideal Weight Energy Requirements or what hM calls IER. This subject will be discussed in the next issue. We will compare the fundamental equation with a more detailed format aimed at reaching or maintaining ideal weight on the long term. Your Wizard Chef software computes the long version of the equation, it looks at both contributing variables. The difference between the equations will explained clearly. But for now, here is a brief presentation:
Gain
or
Loss
today
.
+1,027
Calories
or
Loss
today
.
+1,027
Calories
equals =
Estimated Ideal Weight
Energy Requirements
( Calories/ unit of time)
Energy Requirements
( Calories/ unit of time)
minus (-)
Energy
Intake today
Calories/ time
Intake today
Calories/ time
minus (-)
2,400 Calories
3,127 Calories
2,100 Calories
Energy
Expenditure today
Calories/ per time
Expenditure today
Calories/ per time
= + 300 cal
plus (+)
"The difference in Energy Intake vs Requirements"
"The difference in Energy Expenditure vs Requirements"
Estimated Ideal Weight
Energy Requirements
( Calories/ unit of time)
Energy Requirements
( Calories/ unit of time)
2,400 Calories
= + 727 cal
Gain or Loss (+1,027 cal) equals =
( Caloric Intake 3,127 ) minus ( Caloric Expenditure 2,100)
The fundamental basic equation, short version
The same equation, detailed version
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