The FTC Has Abdicated Its Role In Protecting Us - Position Statement

The FTC regulates claims in advertising.

Clearly, there is much false advertising in the domains of weight loss and fitness.

In addition, substantial amounts of it are associated with health claims.

For advertising to be effective, it must be visible. NAAAFP believes that much of the false advertising in weight loss and fitness, including health claims, is "within the radar" and should be seen by the FTC.

Examples include:

• False claims of a Yale University endorsement on the 3-Hour Diet (tm) book by Jorge Cruise and David Katz, MD
• Endorsement of the same by Oprah Winfrey who knew or should have known of its falsity and thus possibly complicit in perpetrating consumer fraud
• Endorsement of the 3-Hour Diet by David Katz, MD, wherein he clearly states a dieter "should not be losing more than two pounds a  week if you want your weight loss to be both safe and permanent" yet the book itself, on its cover, states "Lose up to 10 Pounds in Just 2 Weeks."
• Claims that one can turn fat into muscle by David Zonczenko in the Abs Diet book, endorsed by David Katz, MD

Yet, the FTC does not act.

And these are only a few examples. Many more are out there.

This is shameful and an apparent abdication by the FTC of its responsibilities.

In the domains of fitness and weight loss, false advertising and false health claims can and do result in untoward consequences.

NAAAFP urges the FTC to faithfully execute its responsibilities and protect the public from diet and fitness predators.

The FTC Has Abdicated Its Role In Protecting Us - Advocacy Letter

Dear (insert name of recipient here),

The FTC regulates claims in advertising.

Clearly, there is much false advertising in the domains of weight loss and fitness.

In addition, substantial amounts of it are associated with health claims.

For advertising to be effective, it must be visible. I believe that much of the false advertising in weight loss and fitness, including health claims, is "within the radar" and should be seen by the FTC.

Examples include:

• False claims of a Yale University endorsement on the 3-Hour Diet (tm) book by Jorge Cruise and David Katz, MD
• Endorsement of the same by Oprah Winfrey who knew or should have known of its falsity and thus possibly complicit in perpetrating consumer fraud
• Endorsement of the 3-Hour Diet by David Katz, MD, wherein he clearly states a dieter "should not be losing more than two pounds a  week if you want your weight loss to be both safe and permanent" yet the book itself, on its cover, states "Lose up to 10 Pounds in Just 2 Weeks."
• Claims that one can turn fat into muscle by David Zonczenko in the Abs Diet book, endorsed by David Katz, MD

Yet, the FTC does not act.

And these are only a few examples. Many more are out there.

I find this to be shameful and an apparent abdication by the FTC of its responsibilities.

In the domains of fitness and weight loss, false advertising and false health claims can and do result in untoward consequences.

I expect the following from you:

A clear and immediate public declaration that the FTC has let us, the public and voters, down by not acting to protect us from the messages of fitness and diet predators 

Action without delay that results in a more effective and responsive FTC and other agencies associated in the fight against overweight, obesity and physical unfitness

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.