Myth: If a weight loss product is sold or promoted on TV, it’s safe for use.

There is no quick fix for weight loss.

Answer: BUSTED!

It’s that time again – the post-New Year’s ‘get the weight off’ kick. The Healthy Weight Network has released its Slim Chance Awards for 2012, identifying the worst weight loss schemes of the year. Raspberry ketone pills for weight loss and other products are given the top spots on this list, which can be found at http://www.healthyweight.net/fraud.htm#news. These products are unproven and could be risky for some. And expensive! The raspberry ketone pills may cost $12 to $20 a bottle depending on how many pills are in a bottle and the dose. Many of these products are celebrity endorsed. Google recently announced its most popular diets of 2012 based on online searches conducted, many of which were diets promoted by celebrities.

Want to protect yourself from these weight loss schemes and products? Learn more and watch this 3-minute video at http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourself/HealthFraud/ucm267540.htm.

How do you easily spot a weight loss scam? If you see the words “fat burning,” “guaranteed” and “quick and easy” used in ads or other promotional materials for weight loss diets or products, run the other way!

Go to Missourifamilies.org for more information about how to make healthy food choices and be more active.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933