Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Editorial

The newest commercialized weight loss strategy is simply not eating. Being skinny is an obsession, and many Americans have fallen head first into the fad of buying any product that promises a low and sometimes unhealthy weight. Numerous companies are taking full advantage of America's desire to be skinny, and as a result have resorted to a large variety of marketing ploys. If you turn on your television you can see that a lot of companies have changed the way that they market their products. When you used to see the commercials for Wrigley's Extra gum, it was portrayed as product that was meant to freshen your mouth and also be good for your teeth because it is sugar free. But now the Wrigley Company is marketing their product toward the weight loss crowds. Their most recently aired commercial markets their product as a five calorie snack. You are able to eat it, and as a result lose weight. But everyone knows that you can't really eat gum. So Wrigley's new idea for losing weight consists of chewing on something instead of actually eating a substantial snack that is comprised of real food. But Wrigley isn't the only company that has jumped on the weight loss wagon. Almost every company has a product that has a low number of calories or carbohydrates. And many companies have been created specifically for the purpose of losing weight. Many companies speak about how they care about you and say that they want you to be healthy. They reiterate that you should eat their food with a combination of other required daily nutrients, but they don't really mean it. Certain companies such as Hydroxycut will tell you that their product is good for you, and that you need it, even if it could make you seriously ill. When you go to Hyroxycut's website and calculate your body mass you can say that you're 5'9" and weigh 90 pounds, and a box will pop up that tells you, "Great! Your body mass index falls within a healthy range. Did you know that Hydroxycut can help you to maintain your weight?" But you would be severely ill if you were really that height and weight. Many companies are willing to risk your health in order to make money. So it is important to be sure that the weight loss program you choose isn't going to compromise your health. Making choices about the way in which you will lose weight doesn't seem like a big deal, but according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's weight loss program, it is. Their information on obesity had the following to say about commercial weight loss products, "Weight loss methods that rely on diet aids like drinks, prepackaged foods, or diet pills don't work, and may not be healthy in the long run." It is important to remember that losing weight isn't a game. You shouldn't be trying to see how skinny you can be and how easily you can do it. Instead your goal should be to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Peggy Williams is a sophomore majoring in journalism. You may e-mail her at peggy.williams@sckans.edu.

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