Any weight loss ad that promises effortless weight loss meets the Federal Trade Commission's definition of fraud. As disappointing as it may be that being smeared with mud or wrapping your midsection with plastic wrap won't solve a weight problem, you're better off using the proven method of calorie reduction and regular exercise. Whether the waist wrap is neoprene, electronic, rubber, elastic or an herbal, mineral or seaweed body wrap treatment, these methods fail to cause lasting weight loss. What you get is increased sweating and, in some cases, risks to health and safety.
Deceptive Adverstising
Due to FTC crackdowns and successful lawsuits against marketers of waist wrap products, most marketers now refer to "losing inches" or "losing water weight." Images of a model removing a waist wrap and revealing a toned midsection are meant to suggest the product provides dramatic weight loss results. Passive waist wraps such as neoprene, elastic or rubber abdominal belts cause increased sweating. This results in a temporary water weight loss. Any water weight loss returns as soon as you replace the fluid through food or beverages.
False Claims
Other waist wraps may claim to help with detoxification, healing and breaking down fat -- with no basis in scientific evidence. As of 2011, there's no proof that any of these substances applied to the skin causes fat to break down. Any business that makes these claims is in violation of FTC regulations. Abdominal belts that wrap around the waist and promise to tighten the abs through passive exercise, using electrical stimulation, have no weight loss or muscle toning effects. The FTC successfully sued some of their marketers.
Warnings
The practice of wrapping plastic wrap or ace bandages around the waist for weight loss has a similar effect to waist wrap belts. This practice raises your core temperature and increases sweating. Using this tactic during exercise reduces the effectiveness of your workout by reducing the workload on your muscles. The increase in core temperature and excessive sweating present a health risk. Electronic abdominal belts present a danger to people with pacemakers or other implanted medical devices and can result in burns and fires.
Considerations
The idea that sweating with sweat suits, spa treatments, saunas, waist wraps and passive exercise devices has been around for a long time. Marketers prey on consumers' desire to lose weight without making dietary sacrifices or exercising.
Making the commitment to take care of yourself by improving your diet and increasing physical activity can put you on the path to successful weight loss. Thinking in terms of long-term lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes can result in improved self-image, reduced stress and better health. It isn't necessary to tackle it all at once. Small changes can help you create habits you'll be able to stick with for life.
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