Pharmacy shakes up weight loss

It is no secret that obesity is a growing epidemic in Australia. In 2004/05 the Australian Bureau of statistics reported that 41% of men and 25% of women were overweight, while 18% of men and 17% of women were classified as obese.1 These figures also represent a twofold increase in the numbers of adults designated as overweight or obese since the 1980s.2 While obesity is set to create a significant health and economic burden in the years to come it seems that Australia’s expanding waistlines have fuelled a growth in the weight loss industry.

One facet of the weight loss industry that has seen a recent boom is meal-replacement therapy. These programs, which are operated out of pharmacies nationally, come in various forms and are often heavily advertised. Some of the better known brands include Betty Baxter, Celebrity Slim, Kate Morgan, Optislim, Tony Ferguson, Ultralite and Xndo. Each of these programs is associated with its own line of products and is designed to be offered in consultancy with a trained staff member.^3-7 Although the complete range of products is gobsmackingly large the following table represents features of some more familiar brands.^3-7

Comparison of weight loss programs

^{Product name}	^{Betty Baxter}	^{Kate Morgan}	^Optislim	^{Tony Ferguson}	^Xndo
^{What is it?}	^{The three phase system: Hop, skip and Jump.} ^{Hop, skip: Two meals per day are replaced with a meal alternative.}^{Jump: maintenance of healthy weight with the aid of a food chart.}	^{The Five ways program.}^{Combines physical activity with controlled food intake, correct food choices, and ongoing support from consultants.}	^{Four stages are used to attain a healthy weight.}^{Initially all meals are replaced by very low calorie shakes. After 12 weeks healthy food is gradually reintroduced.}	^{Low GI, controlled calorie meal replacement program which combines nutritional education with patient advice and support.} Replace two meals per day, protein and vegetables for the third meal. Unlimited low GI vegetables, two pieces of fruit, and unlimited diet jelly. Multivitamin, Fibre and Chromium supplement available to support weight loss. Maintenance Program	^{Two meals per day are replaced by shakes plus “block and burn tablets” to slow absorption of carbohydrates.}^{Muscle stimulation activities are also used to enhance weight loss.}
^{Registration costs}	^{$10 joining fee Shaker $6.95 User guide $9.95 Diary $5.95}	^{Membership pack $25 Shaker $4.95}	^{$15 joining fee Shaker $4.95 Recipe book $6.99}	^{$15 joining fee Weight management book $9.95}	^{$10 joining fee Diary $9.95}
^Products	^{– Shakes – Soups}	^{– Shakes}	^{– Shakes – Fibre supplements}	^{– Shakes (11 flavours)}^{– Soy shakes (2 flavours)}^{– Soups (5 flavours) – Multivitamins – Fibre supplement – Diet jellies (4 flavours) – Chromium supplement}	^{– Shakes, – Tablets, – Low calorie flavoured teas, coffees and water are also available}
^{Cost per week}	^$44.70^{(Based on cost of 2 shakes per day)}	^{$ 45.50} (B^{ased on cost of 2 shakes per day)}	^{From $ 68.25} (B^{ased on cost of 3 shakes per day)} ^{Fibre supplements from $14.95 ea.}	^{From $ 45.50} ^{(Based on cost of 2 shakes per day)} Multivitamins, chromuim and fibre supplements extra.	^{From $63.00} ^{(Includes cost of 2 shakes per day plus 2 “block and burn” tablets)}
^{Year started}	²⁰⁰⁷	²⁰⁰⁶	¹⁹⁹⁶	²⁰⁰³	²⁰⁰⁷
^{Unavailable in states}	^{– Tas – NT}	^{– NT}	^–	^{– Available in all states}	^–
^{Online store?}	^–	^Yes	^Yes	^Yes	^–
^{Support services}	^{– Consultants – Community forum}	^{– Consultants}	^{– Consultants – Community forum}	^{– Consultants – Community forum – Health professionals membership – Maintenance program – Health professionals referral network – Work place program – 1800 number – Motivational seminars – Tony Ferguson cookbook}	^{– Consultants – Health professionals membership}

Most of the programs work on the same premise; by reducing calorie intake with the use of ‘meal replacement’ shakes. Meal replacements tend to contain a balance of protein and carbohydrate, while fibre and vitamin content varies and needs to be purchased separately for some brands.^3-7 As a general rule two meals a day are replaced by either shakes or soup until the desired weight is reached.^3-7 At this point a healthy eating plan is encouraged to ensure a healthy weight is maintained. Trained consultants are available in many pharmacies where these products are sold to help devise a plan of action and for ongoing support.^3-7

Naturally, meal replacement therapy is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, adolescents, type 1 diabetics and those with conditions such as Cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, liver disease or gout are, as a rule, not accepted into such weight loss programs.⁵ It is recommended that people who suffer from hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, Type 2 diabetes, depression or thyroid problems consult their doctor before beginning and, while participating in, a meal replacement program.5 Meal replacements may also interfere with the absorption of certain medications therefore it is recommended that people taking any medications also talk to their doctor prior to beginning a weight loss program.⁵

Some people have also reported side effects from meal replacement therapy. Some side effects reported include; headache, dizziness, halitosis, constipation, nausea and diarrhoea.⁵However on the upside are the numerous advantages of weight loss, such as; a decrease in blood pressure, lowering of BSL, lower cholesterol level, less asthma symptoms and improvement in depression.²This may lead to less medication requirements for some people, on medical advice.²Meal replacement therapy, when used under the supervision of a healthcare professional, appears to be one of the easier paths to losing weight and learning how to keep it off.

Read a doctor’s testimonial of the Tony Ferguson weight loss program.

References

Department of Health and Ageing. Promoting Healthy Weight [online]. 2007 [cited 2008 Feb 17] Available from: URL: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-hlthwt-obesity.htm
O’Brien P. Brown W. and Dixon J. Obesity, weight loss and bariatric surgery. MJA 2005; 183 (6): 310-314.
Betty Baxter: complete weight management[online]. 2008[cited 2008 Feb 16] Available from: URL:www.bettybaxter.com.au
Kate Morgan weight loss centre [online]. [cited 2008 Feb 16] Available from: URL:www.katemorgan.com.au
Cluboptislim weight loss program[online]. 2008[cited 2008 Feb 16] Available from: URL: www.cluboptislim.com.au
Xndo can do. [online]. 2007[cited 2008 Feb 17] Available from: URL: www.xndo.com.au
Tony Ferguson weight loss program [online]. 2008[cited 2008 Feb 16] Available from: URL: www.tonyferguson.com

Posted On: 19 February, 2008

Modified On: 19 March, 2014