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Dietary supplements and alternative therapies for obesity: A Perspective from The Obesity Society’s Clinical Committee
Author(s) -
Kidambi Srividya,
Batsis John A.,
Donahoo William T.,
Jastreboff Ania M.,
Kahan Scott,
Saunders Katherine H.,
Heymsfield Steven B.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.23189
Subject(s) - weight loss , medicine , obesity , promotion (chess) , dietary supplement , alternative medicine , food and drug administration , environmental health , political science , food science , law , chemistry , pathology , politics
In this Perspective Statement from The Obesity Society, the Clinical Committee discusses the use of weight loss supplements in the United States and the lack of regulatory oversight and rigorous testing of their efficacy and safety. A number of products and services claiming to promote weight loss are directly marketed to individuals with obesity and those wanting to lose weight. These products are not regulated as “drugs” by the Federal Drug Administration but, rather, are treated as dietary supplements if ingredients are “generally regarded as safe,” requiring little or no testing to show efficacy or safety. Health care providers should be aware of the lack of evidence and deficiencies in regulatory oversight of dietary supplements marketed for weight loss. Regulatory authorities should protect consumers by ensuring accurate and safe marketing claims and preventing promotion of unproven and potentially unsafe products and claims.