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Online weight loss supplement market and public health: An analysis of Turkish websites marketing weight loss supplements

Year 2012, Volume: 34 Issue: 2, 138 - 145, 21.06.2012

Yusuf Kaplan Ömer Demir Barış Karadaş Melike Demirbağ Kaplan

Abstract

Abstract

The Internet is becoming the primary tool of purchasing weight loss supplements since it is easily accessible to the consumers. When the uncontrollable nature of the Internet and the public’s general tendency to use these supplements are considered together, the information conveyed to general audience in such websites become of great importance in the context of public health. This study aimed to analyze the quality and the quantity of the information conveyed to the consumers by Turkish websites marketing weight loss supplements. In majority of the websites, the information provided was found to be inadequate and misleading. Raising the public awareness and bringing restrictions of online marketing of these kinds of supplements are the urgent priorities to protect consumers from possible health risks.

Keywords: Weight loss supplements, herbal weight loss, internet, online, marketing, safety, public health

 

Özet

İnternet, zayıflatıcı gıda takviyelerinin temininde öncelikli bir araç haline gelmeye başlamıştır. İnternetin kontrol edilmesi güç yapısı ve halkın bu takviyelere olan ilgisi düşünüldüğünde, zayıflatıcı gıda takviyelerini pazarlayan web sitelerinden tüketiciye iletilen bilginin halk sağlığı açısından ne kadar önemli olduğu anlaşılacaktır. Bu çalışmada, zayıflatıcı gıda takviyelerini pazarlayan Türkçe içerikli internet sitelerindeki bilginin niceliksel ve niteliksel açıdan değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Genel olarak web sitelerinin çoğunluğunun içerdiği bilgilerin yetersiz ve yanıltıcı olduğu gözlenmiştir. Tüketicilerin bu tür takviyelerin neden olabileceği olası sağlık risklerinden korunması için atılması gereken acil ve öncelikli adımlar, tüketici farkındalığının arttırılması ve bu ürünlerin internet üzerinden pazarlanmasına getirilecek kısıtlamalardır.

Anahtar sözcükler: Zayıflatıcı gıda takviyeleri, bitkisel ilaç ile zayıflama, internet, pazarlama, güvenlilik, halk sağlığı

Keywords

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References

  • Greenberg L, D'Andrea G, Lorence D. Setting the public agenda for online health search: a white paper and action agenda. J Med Internet Res 2004; 6: e18.
  • Walji M, Sagaram S, Sagaram D, Meric-Bernstam F, Johnson C, Mirza NQ, Bernstam EV. Efficacy of quality criteria to identify potentially harmful information: a cross-sectional survey of complementary and alternative medicine web sites. J Med Internet Res 2004; 6: e21.
  • Saper RB, Eisenberg DM, Phillips RS. Common dietary supplements for weight loss. Am Fam Physician 2004; 70: 1731-8.
  • Kosalec I, Cvek J, Tomić S. Contaminants of medicinal herbs and herbal products. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2009; 60: 485-501.
  • Eysenbach G, Köhler C. How do consumers search for and appraise health information on the world wide web? Qualitative study using focus groups, usability tests, and in-depth interviews. BMJ 2002; 324: 573-7.
  • Jordan MA, Haywood T. Evaluation of internet websites marketing herbal weight-loss supplements to consumers. J Altern Complement Med 2007; 13:1035-43.
  • Questions and Answers about FDA’s Initiative Against Contaminated Weight Loss Products. FDA; 2009. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm 136187.htm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2RYWVN (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Lenz TL, Hamilton WR. Supplemental products used for weight loss. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2004; 44: 59-67; quiz 67-8.
  • Pittler MH, Ernst E. Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79: 529-36.
  • Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review. Obes Rev 2005; 6: 93-111.
  • Cuzzolin L, Zaffani S, Benoni G. Safety implications regarding use of phytomedicines. Eur J Clin Pharmaco 2006; 62: 37-42.
  • Haller CA, Benowitz NL. Adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events associated with dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids. N Engl J Med 2000; 343: 1833-8.
  • FDA Announces Rule Prohibiting Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids Effective April 12. FDA; 2004. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2004/ucm108281.htm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2OVIoD(accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Dara L, Hewett J, Lim JK. Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity: a case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14: 6999-7004.
  • Cerulli J, Grabe DW, Gauthier I, Malone M, McGoldrick MD. Chromium picolinate toxicity. Ann Pharmacother 1998; 32: 428-31.
  • Martin WR, Fuller RE. Suspected chromium picolinate-induced rhabdomyolysis. Pharmacotherapy 1998; 18: 860-2.
  • Scroggie DA, Harris M, Sakai L. Rhabdomyolysis associated with nutritional supplement use. J Clin Rheumatol 2000; 6: 328-32.
  • Saraçoğlu A, Ergun B. Türkiye’de Satılan Bazı Bitkisel Zayıflama Çaylarının İçerikleri ve Bu Çayların Kullanımına Bağlı Ortaya Çıkabilecek İstenmeyen Etkiler. Türkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci 2006; 26: 355-63.
  • Zaffani S, Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Herbal products: behaviors and beliefs among Italian women. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2006; 15: 354-9.
  • Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Attitudes and knowledge toward natural products safety in the pharmacy setting: an Italian study. Phytother Res 2009; 23: 1018-23.
  • Hu Z, Yang X, Ho PC, Chan SY, Heng PW, Chan E, Duan W, Koh HL, Zhou S. Herb-drug interactions: a literature review. Drugs 2005; 65: 1239-82.
  • Messina BA. Herbal supplements: Facts and myths--talking to your patients about herbal supplements. J Perianesth Nurs 2006; 21: 268-78.
  • Fugh-Berman A. Herb-drug interactions. Lancet 2000; 355: 134-8.
  • Erkekoğlu P, Giray B, Şahin G. Türkiye’de zayıflama amacıyla kullanılan toz karışımların ve likit preparatların toksikolojik açıdan değerlendirilmesi Hacettepe Tıp Dergisi 2009; 4: 205-18.
  • Jung J, Hermanns-Clausen M, Weinmann W. Anorectic sibutramine detected in a Chinese herbal drug for weight loss. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 161: 221-2.
  • Anti-obesity drug use suspended. BBC News; 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7687311.stm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2V7b4J (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • FDA Expands Warning to Consumers About Tainted Weight Loss Pills List increases from 28 to 69 products; Agency seeking recalls. FDA; 2008. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2008/ucm116998.htm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2HUihV (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Top obesity drug sibutramine being suspended. BBC News; 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8473555.stm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2XhFqh (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Handy C. Trust and the Virtual Organization. Harvard Bus Rev 1995; 73: 40-50.
  • Corritore CL, Kracher B, Wiedenbeck S. On-line trust: concepts, evolving themes, a model. Int J Comput Stud 2003; 58: 737-58.
  • Kim J, Moon JY. Designing towards emotional usability in customer interfaces: trustworthiness of cyber-banking system interfaces. Interact Comput 1998; 10: 1-29.
  • Aslam MM. Are You Selling the Right Color? A Cross-Cultural Review of Colour as a Marketing Cue. J Marketing Commun 2006; 12: 15-30.

Original research-Orijinal araştırma

Year 2012, Volume: 34 Issue: 2, 138 - 145, 21.06.2012

Yusuf Kaplan Ömer Demir Barış Karadaş Melike Demirbağ Kaplan

Abstract

Amaç. İnternet, zayıflatıcı gıda takviyelerinin temininde öncelikli bir araç haline gelmeye başlamıştır. İnternetin kontrol edilmesi güç yapısı ve halkın bu takviyelere olan ilgisi düşünüldüğünde, zayıflatıcı gıda takviyelerini pazarlayan web sitelerinden tüketiciye iletilen bilginin halk sağlığı açısından ne kadar önemli olduğu anlaşılacaktır. Bu çalışmada, zayıflatıcı gıda takviyelerini pazarlayan Türkçe içerikli internet sitelerindeki bilginin niceliksel ve niteliksel açıdan değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem. Bu çalışma 2009 yılının Haziran ve Ekim ayları arasında Google arama motorunda Türkçe olarak “kilo kaybı ilaç” ve bitkisel kilo kaybı” sözcük dizinleri kullanarak Türk halkının erişebileceği bu ürünleri pazarlayan ilk 50 web sitesinin taranması ile gerçekleştirildi Bulgular. Genel olarak web sitelerinin çoğunluğunun içerdiği bilgilerin yetersiz ve yanıltıcı olduğu gözlenmiştir. Sonuç. Tüketicilerin bu tür takviyelerin neden olabileceği olası sağlık risklerinden korunması için atılması gereken acil ve öncelikli adımlar, tüketici farkındalığının arttırılması ve bu ürünlerin internet üzerinden pazarlanmasına getirilecek kısıtlamalardır

Keywords

Zayıflatıcı gıda takviyeleri bitkisel ilaç ile zayıflama internet pazarlama güvenlilik halk sağlığı

References

  • Greenberg L, D'Andrea G, Lorence D. Setting the public agenda for online health search: a white paper and action agenda. J Med Internet Res 2004; 6: e18.
  • Walji M, Sagaram S, Sagaram D, Meric-Bernstam F, Johnson C, Mirza NQ, Bernstam EV. Efficacy of quality criteria to identify potentially harmful information: a cross-sectional survey of complementary and alternative medicine web sites. J Med Internet Res 2004; 6: e21.
  • Saper RB, Eisenberg DM, Phillips RS. Common dietary supplements for weight loss. Am Fam Physician 2004; 70: 1731-8.
  • Kosalec I, Cvek J, Tomić S. Contaminants of medicinal herbs and herbal products. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2009; 60: 485-501.
  • Eysenbach G, Köhler C. How do consumers search for and appraise health information on the world wide web? Qualitative study using focus groups, usability tests, and in-depth interviews. BMJ 2002; 324: 573-7.
  • Jordan MA, Haywood T. Evaluation of internet websites marketing herbal weight-loss supplements to consumers. J Altern Complement Med 2007; 13:1035-43.
  • Questions and Answers about FDA’s Initiative Against Contaminated Weight Loss Products. FDA; 2009. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm 136187.htm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2RYWVN (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Lenz TL, Hamilton WR. Supplemental products used for weight loss. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2004; 44: 59-67; quiz 67-8.
  • Pittler MH, Ernst E. Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79: 529-36.
  • Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review. Obes Rev 2005; 6: 93-111.
  • Cuzzolin L, Zaffani S, Benoni G. Safety implications regarding use of phytomedicines. Eur J Clin Pharmaco 2006; 62: 37-42.
  • Haller CA, Benowitz NL. Adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events associated with dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids. N Engl J Med 2000; 343: 1833-8.
  • FDA Announces Rule Prohibiting Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids Effective April 12. FDA; 2004. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2004/ucm108281.htm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2OVIoD(accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Dara L, Hewett J, Lim JK. Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity: a case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14: 6999-7004.
  • Cerulli J, Grabe DW, Gauthier I, Malone M, McGoldrick MD. Chromium picolinate toxicity. Ann Pharmacother 1998; 32: 428-31.
  • Martin WR, Fuller RE. Suspected chromium picolinate-induced rhabdomyolysis. Pharmacotherapy 1998; 18: 860-2.
  • Scroggie DA, Harris M, Sakai L. Rhabdomyolysis associated with nutritional supplement use. J Clin Rheumatol 2000; 6: 328-32.
  • Saraçoğlu A, Ergun B. Türkiye’de Satılan Bazı Bitkisel Zayıflama Çaylarının İçerikleri ve Bu Çayların Kullanımına Bağlı Ortaya Çıkabilecek İstenmeyen Etkiler. Türkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci 2006; 26: 355-63.
  • Zaffani S, Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Herbal products: behaviors and beliefs among Italian women. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2006; 15: 354-9.
  • Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Attitudes and knowledge toward natural products safety in the pharmacy setting: an Italian study. Phytother Res 2009; 23: 1018-23.
  • Hu Z, Yang X, Ho PC, Chan SY, Heng PW, Chan E, Duan W, Koh HL, Zhou S. Herb-drug interactions: a literature review. Drugs 2005; 65: 1239-82.
  • Messina BA. Herbal supplements: Facts and myths--talking to your patients about herbal supplements. J Perianesth Nurs 2006; 21: 268-78.
  • Fugh-Berman A. Herb-drug interactions. Lancet 2000; 355: 134-8.
  • Erkekoğlu P, Giray B, Şahin G. Türkiye’de zayıflama amacıyla kullanılan toz karışımların ve likit preparatların toksikolojik açıdan değerlendirilmesi Hacettepe Tıp Dergisi 2009; 4: 205-18.
  • Jung J, Hermanns-Clausen M, Weinmann W. Anorectic sibutramine detected in a Chinese herbal drug for weight loss. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 161: 221-2.
  • Anti-obesity drug use suspended. BBC News; 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7687311.stm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2V7b4J (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • FDA Expands Warning to Consumers About Tainted Weight Loss Pills List increases from 28 to 69 products; Agency seeking recalls. FDA; 2008. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2008/ucm116998.htm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2HUihV (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Top obesity drug sibutramine being suspended. BBC News; 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8473555.stm Archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/5qD2XhFqh (accessed on May 30, 2012).
  • Handy C. Trust and the Virtual Organization. Harvard Bus Rev 1995; 73: 40-50.
  • Corritore CL, Kracher B, Wiedenbeck S. On-line trust: concepts, evolving themes, a model. Int J Comput Stud 2003; 58: 737-58.
  • Kim J, Moon JY. Designing towards emotional usability in customer interfaces: trustworthiness of cyber-banking system interfaces. Interact Comput 1998; 10: 1-29.
  • Aslam MM. Are You Selling the Right Color? A Cross-Cultural Review of Colour as a Marketing Cue. J Marketing Commun 2006; 12: 15-30.
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Basic Science Research Articles
Authors

Yusuf Kaplan

Ömer Demir

Barış Karadaş

Melike Demirbağ Kaplan

Publication Date June 21, 2012
Published in Issue Year 2012Volume: 34 Issue: 2

Cite

AMA Kaplan Y, Demir Ö, Karadaş B, Demirbağ Kaplan M. Online weight loss supplement market and public health: An analysis of Turkish websites marketing weight loss supplements. CMJ. June 2012;34(2):138-145.