Lesson 2:

Why are people willing to believe a nutrition claim?

As you view these commercials again, think of the claim being made.

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Testimonial	Quick Fix

Testimonial: According to this person, the product or procedure worked. In her excitement, she spreads the news from person to person, friend to friend, thinking what worked for her will work for others.

Quick Fix: This person wants us to believe that there is no effort in weight loss. There is no need for modification of personal habits that were formed over a lifetime.

HOW do we know the product really worked?
DID she make any other changes in her daily habits?
WERE any measurable changes identified?

In human physiology, changes in conditions and illnesses occur daily. Diseases can improve, go into remission, or simply disappear without any therapeutic treatment. The severity of the symptoms varies from day to day. Current accepted drug therapy can treat infection, relieve fever, pain and discomfort, and assist the functions of the body while the physician monitors the disease process.

A treatment may occur during a period when an illness or a condition happens to be improving. It may be perceived that the treatment had some positive effect in this improvement. Belief in a product, treatment, or claim can be a strong influence on mental and physical health. Changes in health can result from a placebo, such as taking sugar pills, holding baubles and wearing trinkets, or talking with idols and icons. As many as 30% of patients will improve when given a placebo in place of a therapeutic drug.

What happens to the other 70% of patients? People react differently. Their illnesses and conditions react differently. Some people simply do not believe they will get better, or that any medication will help.

The weight-loss industry contains many "magic" formulas, pills, programs and gadgets. Access varies from contract programs to over-the-counter products. Weight loss may occur during the program regimen, but maintaining the weight loss is not as successful. Obesity remains a significant health risk in the United States. Permanent weight loss is a lifestyle change required for a lifetime.

Over the past three decades, public opinion about food products such as coffee, tea, dietary fiber, margarine and butter have changed from "good" to "bad" and back again. An article in USA Weekend (February 28, 1999) suggests that the public should become more aware of how to evaluate nutrition information found in all types of media. Each contributor to a story introduces the possibility of bias. The article can be found at: http://www.usaweekend.com/99_issues/990228/990228health.html .

Check all of the statements below that appear to relate to testimonials.

		1. People place their confidence in testimonials given by friends, favorite movie stars, and doctors.
		2. With health and fitness becoming a major interest among Americans, people look for machines, gimmicks, potions, and pills that will do the work for them.
		3. Body weight and conditions of illnesses can change from day to day.
		4. Weight is independent of lifestyle.
		5. Weight loss products guarantee weight loss maintenance.
.	Click on the button to compare your choices to ones chosen by the authors.

Click here for Lesson 2 Continued.