For the past few years, the slimming industry has been taking social media by storm to attract consumers to fat burners, flat stomach teas, laser treatments, intermittent fasting, keto pills, weight loss leggings and many others.
Posted at 1:00 p.m.
This panoply of weight loss products and methods pays off for the industry, but can put the health of people who use it at risk. Social media algorithms cause people concerned about their weight to be bombarded with weight loss content and ads.
Body dissatisfaction and concern over weight have risen alarmingly with the pandemic. More than 6 out of 10 adults consider themselves too fat and more than half are dissatisfied with their weight, according to a Léger survey carried out on behalf of the Association pour la santé publique du Québec in March 2021.
On social networks, the slimming industry takes advantage of people’s vulnerability and maintains myths and false beliefs. Teenage boys and girls, who are the most prevalent age group on these platforms, are highly vulnerable to this type of misinformation, given the physical, psychological and emotional changes and challenges associated with adolescence.
Among the strategies that the slimming industry deploys, influencer marketing is increasingly widespread. The popularity and notoriety of influencers make it possible to promote many strategies for losing weight.
The industry benefits from the bond of trust they have with their subscribers. Well camouflaged by the influencer’s original content, this insidious marketing lures consumers.
Pseudo-experts
In addition, social networks have become a platform of choice for many people who call themselves health and nutrition specialists. These individuals provide a myriad of weight loss tips, often without adequate clinical or scientific training to make sound recommendations. Often stakeholders in a product sales network, these pseudo-experts and pseudo-experts infiltrate into neighborhood groups and private messages.
The use of weight-loss products, services and means is not without consequences on physical and mental health.
While none of these methods are effective for long-term weight loss, these so-called quick fixes can result in repeated feelings of failure, excessive preoccupation with weight, an unhealthy relationship with diet and even eating disorders. In addition, the often associated caloric restriction can lead to several physical health problems such as muscle wasting, fatigue, anemia or even the yo-yo effect.
Concrete actions
To put an end to the misinformation surrounding weight loss practices, it’s time to take concrete action. Healthcare professionals whose practice is governed by professional orders, such as nutritionists and pharmacists, are able to provide safe, science-backed services.
It is necessary to tighten the legislation around the promotion of weight loss products, services and means on social networks, which should not contribute to misinformation surrounding weight loss.
The physical and mental health of the population, particularly that of young people, must prevail over the commercial interests of the slimming industry.
* Co-signatories: Christian Corbeil, Managing Director of Option consommateurs; Stéphanie Léonard, psychologist and founder of BienAvecMonCorps; Valérie Lucia, Executive Director of the Federation of Kinesiologists of Quebec