Slimmers are putting their lives in danger for short-term gains

Ayat el-Haddad

Member of parliamentary foreign relations committee

Weight-loss programmes and advice abound. Their short-term benefits are tempting, but little thought is given to possible long-term harm of dieting. Research suggests that dieting can seriously damage your health.

European countries have taken action to the extent that high-risk procedures like stomach stapling have been illegal for at least a decade, while here in Egypt such practices continue regardless of the law or the patient’s wellbeing.

The risks of slimming may entail serious health problems, permanent disability, even death. Rectifying this serious state of affairs requires stricter regulations and making certain procedures to speed up the slimming process illegal.

Some medical professionals recognise the inherent dangers of slimming. Others exploit vulnerable patients by drawing a rosy picture of effortless solutions to weight problems. Indeed, the gullible are unwittingly signing their own death warrants.

Exploitation of the vain and impressionable goes beyond the walls of the clinic as celebrity endorsements tell the overweight ‘you can be like me’. Doctors promote these procedures with advertisements to lure the unwary into theatre for liposuction and other methods of fat removal regardless of the long-term implications.

Social media plays their part with unregulated advertising for fat-dissolving injections and medications.

The uninformed fall prey to these false promises and doctors downplay the inherent dangers.

Weight loss is not the only issue. The reckless use of steroids among young gymnasts seems outside the purview of the health authorities.

Aware of the gravity of this situation, I petitioned the Minister of Health to enact stricter regulations.

Better oversight of clinics, hospitals and pharmacies that sell weight-loss and muscle-building products is vital.

Moreover, weight-loss clinics must be closely monitored to protect the public from the consequences of lack of awareness, unethical practices and regulatory loopholes.

Meanwhile, awareness of safer and healthier alternatives, such as regular exercise and dietary adjustments, is imperative as is publicising weight-loss methods towards a healthier, safer future.