The statistics on obesity in the United States are staggering. In 2008, only one U.S. state, Colorado, boasted a prevalence of obesity in its population at less than 20 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which also reported that six states, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia show the rate of obesity to be more than 30 percent. As more and more consumers are desperate to drop the pounds, weight loss supplements promising fast and hassle-free results seem to many to offer a sense of security in supporting their diets. Members of the diet industry tout the benefits of weight loss on a person's overall health and well-being as a reason for the usefulness of these products. Others argue that the ingredients in their products are "all-natural" as a reason for the products' effectiveness and safety.

On the Other: The Reality

While many of the weight loss supplements on the market promise immediate, effective results, there is little impartial, scientific evidence to prove that these products provide any benefit. Additionally, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety of medicinal products, the administration has little to no oversight on weight loss supplements. This means that so long as a product does not claim to be a drug, the FDA does not have a process for ensuring its safety. For this reason, many of the supplements on the market have never been thoroughly reviewed by an impartial authoritative body for safety.

Bottom Line

Across the board, experts agree that the key to sustainable weight loss is a calorie controlled, nutritious diet in combination with an exercise program. While many supplements claim to improve success in weight loss, little oversight is given to the safety of these products on the U.S. market.

Source:

Centers for Disease Control: U.S. Obesity Trends