In 2003, Iowans spent 783 million on health care related to obesity. About 65% of Iowans are considered overweight or obese. At any given time 29% of American men and 44% of American women are trying to lose weight. It’s no wonder Americans are tempted to try each and every new diet plan offered. Some of the promoted programs may even work—for awhile. However, winning strategies for long term success in weight management tend to be so simple anyone can afford to follow them. The National Weight Control Registry asked 4,000 people who had lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for at least a year to list habits they had found helpful. Their recommendations included: Eating breakfast, following a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet; self-monitoring (weekly weigh-ins and daily food journals) and daily exercise.

Consumers can use the Nutrition Facts on food products for weight management—as long as they also recognize that other terms used on product labels may be chosen for their marketing appeal. For example, many products as well as the 3 A Day campaign, promoted dairy foods after some preliminary studies showed that milk-based and or calcium appeared to help weight control. However, a review of 49 randomized clinical trials (published in 2008) concluded that neither dairy products nor calcium played a key role in weight reduction. Forty-one of the studies showed no significant effect.

Another example was the abundance of low carbohydrate products offered a few years ago. Many product labels used terms such as effective, net, or impact carbs. Yet, the Food and Drug Administration does not recognize and has not defined any of those terms.

Here are 10 Characteristics of Fad Diets: Sounds too good to be true. Promises weight loss without exercise. Promises weight loss of more than 1 or 2 pounds per week. Discourages drinking water. Food or food groups are excluded or consumed excessively. Lists “good” and “bad” foods. Uses these terms, “fat burner, fat blocker, or boost Metabolism.” Includes no warnings related to possible medical problems. Requires purchase of pills, bars, shakes or other foods. Claims specific food combinations have weight loss powers.

For additional resources, visit these web sites: ISU Extension Answer Line, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/; ISU Extension Nutrition, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/healthnutrition; ISU Extension publications, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/store; a copy of the publication Facts about Fad Diets, PM 1980 is available to be downloaded at this site. This publication lists six popular fad diets, describes their diet composition, claim and lists pros and cons of each.