The Ridiculous: Obesity and Weight Loss Scams
As I planned this series of Memos, I wrestled with using the word “obesity” because everyone appears to hate that term—especially when directed at themselves. I decided to stick with it because it afflicts close to 40% of us in the United States. Before I get to ridiculous weight loss plans people are hawking, how did we get here?
Obesity is the product of success. We’ve been successful in creating so many labor-saving devices, we can’t burn enough calories in everyday activity anymore. We’ve successfully produced so much food, available just about everywhere, and made to appeal to all our tastes—sweet, salty, fatty, and umami. They’re hard to resist. The U.S. and Canada have worked hard to produce so much food. But with that success comes overconsumption. Pure and simple.
I question whether obesity is a disease. The dieticians and nutritionists have tried health education without success. Now the medical community has taken over with surgery and pharmaceuticals. And we’re still getting fatter, not because we’re failures but because we’re reaping the rewards of success. We have to change our approach to how we treat food if we’re going to be successful in changing the outcome.
In this series, I’m going to cover recent ads, commentaries, and research on obesity and weight loss. Let’s begin with a Facebook ad my daughter-in-law sent Paula the other day.
The Ridiculous
Paula got a text from Kerri that showed the benefits of MagnaGermanium earrings; these magnetic earrings will activate your lymphatic system, drain away toxins, detox your body, and allow you to lose weight naturally. I had to check it out—after all, it was FDA approved!
It was just a bunch of testimonials. No science, even though the ad referred to it. Claimed to be made in an FDA-approved facility, but there’s no such classification. It’s a pure scam but reasonably priced: just $22.97 a pair in the ad I reviewed. Look around a little, and you can find them for one cent; that tells you all you need to know about the quality.
I don’t think I have to say anything else. By the way, those Kelly Clarkson “ads” for Keto-ACV Gummies? Worst artificial intelligence effort I’ve seen so far. They’re also in the ridiculous category.
We’re just getting started. Next week, a look at fish oil and the potential for overweight children. You don’t want to miss it.
What are you prepared to do today?
