Key Summary
- According to a survey, 8.8 million adults have followed weight-loss advice they suspected was false.
- Social media is the biggest source of conflicting advice on weight management.
- Searches surge for unproven methods such as weight-loss patches.
New research from Pharmacy2U has found that 8.8 million people in the UK have followed weight-loss advice they do not fully trust, as consumers face an overload of conflicting information on the topic.
The study said that myths, misinformation, and false advertising are on the rise around weight loss. People can feel like they are bombarded with advice on how to lose weight, which leaves an air of confusion and chaos.
The findings from the survey:
- 2 in 5 (42%) have tried or considered managing their weight in the last year, as searches surge for unproven methods like weight-loss patches (200%) and terms such as “rapid weight loss” (221%) and “weight peptides” (347%)
- Nearly half (46%) have felt overwhelmed by mixed messaging, driven by social media (39%), search engines (24%), and friends/family (24%)
- 1 in 6 (16%) adults, equivalent to 8.8 million adults, have followed weight-loss advice they suspected was false, while most (57%) aren’t confident telling real healthcare providers from fakes.
Social media and Gen Z
Social media emerged as the single biggest source of conflicting advice on weight management at 39%, ahead of search engines (24%), friends and family (24%), and online forums (22%).
Among Gen Z, 30% cite social media as a primary information source for weight management, yet 43% regularly encounter conflicting advice on these platforms.
A third (34%) of under-30s trust social media for advice about managing their weight, compared with a UK average of 15%.
Independent researchers commissioned by Pharmacy2U analysed Google Trends data and found sharp increases in queries for dubious weight-loss methods over the past year.
Searches for “Do weight-loss patches work?” rose 200%, despite limited clinical evidence supporting transdermal appetite suppressants.
Queries for “weight peptides” increased by 347%, and “rapid weight loss” by 221%.
Dr Kieran Seyan, Chief Medical Officer at Pharmacy2U, commented: “People have never had more information about weight management at their fingertips, but not all of it is accurate, evidence-based or relevant to their circumstances. The challenge is often not finding information, but understanding which information is trustworthy and appropriate.
“With different sources competing for attention and a rise in counterfeit medication sellers and fake online pharmacies, it can be difficult to know what or who to trust.”
He added that any treatment, supplement, or lifestyle intervention should be considered in the context of a person’s overall health and medical history.
