A weighty debate

Medislim Weight Control is a new diet pill with a difference. Instead of being aimed at those with a weight problem, it's targeted at the slim, fit and healthy, and health experts are not impressed.

The natural ingredients that make up Medislim Natural Advance Weight Control are not new; it's the way they work together that controls a person's weight, according Andrew Farrington, of Milton Pharmaceuticals, which makes the pill.

"The Weight Control product doesn't have fat-burning properties. It's purely about maintenance and it's about helping people stay at that target weight," he said.

"We believe in everything we've done and we've certainly got research - and it's in the public domain - to show that firstly, obesity is one of the major health issues in this country.

"And secondly, when people do lose weight, the vast majority of them have a huge problem with maintaining that weight."

But dietician Sharon Natoli, from Food and Nutrition Australia, is dubious.

She wonders why people who look after themselves would even be interested in such a product.

"It's a product that's unnecessary," she said.

"I don't see a role for a product that is promoted as helping people to maintain their weight if they're already a healthy weight, so it's something that people could be wasting their money on that's likely to be ineffective."

Doctor John Gullotta, from the NSW branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), also has concerns.

"Basically these products contain fibre and a few diuretic-type herbs that will basically make you feel fuller," he said.

"The problem is that it may lead to anorexia if you're losing more weight than you need to."

Dr Gullotta says doctors are seeing more and more cases of eating disorders.

Who could forget Bronte Cullis, the anorexic teenager who thought she did not deserve to eat.

Bronte's mother Jan Cullis has spent her life campaigning against eating disorders and believes this pill will only add to the problems.

"The sad thing about this product is that it sends us a message that even when we're normal we're still not acceptable," she said.

"Basically they are flushing their money down the toilet. It's not going to address any of their issues about themselves. A pill doesn't fix our feelings about ourselves."

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, the best advice, according to dieticians, is the tried and tested formula: eat healthily and exercise regularly.

For more information about Medislim call (07) 3271-9600 or visit www.medislimnatural.info The AMA's website is at www.ama.com.au''Disclaimer
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