The New York Times reports this month that four companies were charged with "deceptively marketing weight loss products." Sensa Products, L’Occitane, HCG Diet Direct and LeanSpa were ordered by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to pay $34 million in refunds to customers. The charges are part of a larger crackdown on companies that "peddle fad weight loss products."

As part of the initiative, the FTC issued a "Gut Check" guidance update for media to recognize false weight loss claims. The update is intended to assist media outlets in screening out bogus ads. These false product claims include:

1. causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without diet or exercise;
2. causes substantial weight loss no matter what or how much the consumer eats;
3. causes permanent weight loss even after the consumer stops using the product;
4. blocks the absorption of fat or calories to enable consumers to lose substantial weight;
5. safely enables consumers to lose more than three pounds a week for more than four weeks;
6. causes substantial weight loss for all users; and
7. causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it into the skin.

False advertising and bogus claims are wrong for any product. But for weight loss products they are especially bad, because they prey upon dieters' often desperate need to lose weight and regain health. False claims discourage dieters, and reflect badly on real, honest diet programs that provide help to people in need.

California Medical Weight Management's physician-supervised weight loss program does not rely on false claims. Our Testimonials page is full of real success stories from actual CalMWM patients, not paid actors. Our before-and-after photos, on our website and Instagram, include only unretouched photos of our actual patients. The results our patients achieve are real.

Weight loss is not easy, but with help, determination and willpower you can do it! CalMWM's medical weight loss program is not a fad, but a personalized, doctor-supervised program that will help you lose weight, and learn how to make good choices in your diet. Our long-term support ensures you will keep the weight off.

So don't be discouraged by false weight loss claims. Contact your nearest CalMWM clinic for a free consultation to learn more.

This is the time of year when many people make New Year's resolutions. According to studies, only 8% of dieters will follow through and accomplish their weight loss goal. With 2/3 of Americans overweight, and more than 1/3 obese, dieters are desperate to find ways to shed unwanted (and unhealthy) pounds. And it is true, obesity can lead to heart problems, stroke and cancer. So naturally, in the month of January we see many new "scientific studies," fad diets, new miracle foods and exaggerated/false claims targeting dieters. What is the truth about dieting and obesity?

According to the U.S. government's National Institutes of Health, obesity is caused by a lack of energy balance:

"Energy balance means that your energy IN equals your energy OUT.... Overweight and obesity happen over time when you take in more calories than you use."

Other factors such as physical inactivity, heredity, and lack of sleep have also been cited as contributing to obesity. But remember the old adage - a moment on the lips, forever on your hips. The Harvard School of Public Health agrees: "At its most basic, of course, obesity results when someone regularly takes in more calories than needed."

Since obesity occurs over time, bad eating habits get established. In order to maintain a healthy weight, a short-term diet won't be effective unless those bad eating habits can be overcome and replaced by good long-term habits. This is the dreaded regaining of weight many dieters experience: once they lose the weight they revert back to their old eating habits.

Unlike fad diets and new diet super-foods, California Medical Weight Management's program really works. You'll work one on one with your doctor from the beginning to establish your optimal diet. And we make it easy to stick with the program. California Medical Weight Management's physician-supervised weight loss program works because it replaces an unhealthy diet with a healthy one, and also includes education, maintenance and long-term support of your weight loss goal. CMWM teaches you to make healthy choices, why that is important, and how it affects your body. Our program provides you with the tools and understanding you need to eat healthy, make good choices and maintain your new healthy weight.

To see actual patient testimonials, and to learn more about California Medical Weight Management's fast, safe and effective three-step weight loss program, visit our Testimonials page.