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Protecting the Consumer Through Truth‐in‐Dieting Laws
Author(s) -
Berzins Lisa G.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/0022-4537.00121
Subject(s) - dieting , liberian dollar , weight loss , law , state (computer science) , outcome (game theory) , business , advertising , economics , political science , medicine , finance , obesity , mathematical economics , algorithm , computer science
Although diets are ineffective in producing sustained weight loss, the multibillion dollar weight loss industry continues to make exaggerated claims of efficacy without substantiating outcome data. Lacking accurate information, individuals continue to pay for ineffective weight loss programs and products. In this article the author describes her application of social science data to influence state policy, which led to the passage of two first‐in‐the‐nation diet disclosure laws. The 1996 law mandates that dieting companies make advertising claims only based on outcome data. The 1997 law requires full disclosure of program costs, conditions, and credentials of staff, and grants consumers a 3‐day cancellation right. Together, the diet disclosure laws prohibit the use of deceptive practices and hold the diet industry accountable by requiring that all claims be based on representative group data.