Natural slimming methods believed to be less risky

JAKARTA (JP): Do you want to look thin in a short time? Then come and try our new and modern slimming methods.

This is the promise largely advertised by slimming centers in their aggressive newspaper and magazine ad campaigns. Naturally, the ads have convinced many people who feel inferior about their looks to at least consider trying out the offers.

But Azrul Azwar, chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association, and Tini Hadad, chairwoman of the Foundation of Indonesian Consumers Association, separately suggest the more natural, tried and tested, often slow methods of diet and exercise, with the consultation of experts.

Azrul said none of the rapid slimming methods using medication, liposuction, or surgery were hazard-free, and that the government has yet to monitor any of these services.

"Using medicine to reduce weight will always have side effects," Azwar said. "Many of these medicines are toxic."

The use of amphetamines to eliminate a person's appetite is unhealthy as one can get addicted to stimulants, he said. Liposuction can also be dangerous if done improperly.

Azwar also said he did not believe in the promises of slimming cream. "Is it that simple to reduce a person's weight?" he asked.

Separately, Tini Hadad, who based her opinion on several complaints sent to the consumers foundation, said many slimming centers lack experts who can monitor their clients' progress and safeguard their health.

"Most of the time the recipients are attended to by regular staff but not doctors," she said.

She added that the centers' claims of being able to reduce one's weight within a week were generally untrue. When confronted by unsatisfied clients, the centers respond that these people were undisciplined and not following their programs.

Dieters beware

She also accused several slimming centers of "cheating" clients by giving discounts to those who pay the entire program fee in advance. Consumers who are coaxed into paying up front often discover that the methods do not suit them. For example, many complain of dehydration symptoms, and yet many centers will not let them switch to other methods.

"People who want to quit before the end of a program often cannot get refunds," she said, adding that the foundation is currently conducting a survey on slimming centers in the city.

Tini also advocates natural methods of dieting and exercise.

"To understand more about dieting people should consult nutritionists," she said.

Azrul agrees. A sound principle of slimming, he said, is to strive for a balance of consumed food and energy produced.

Consulting specialists at fitness or nutrition centers is the best way to lose weight with minimum risk, he said.

Azwar declined to comment on acupuncture, saying he did not have enough information about traditional methods given the absence of local research on its effects.

Imbalance

An overweight condition is not always caused by an imbalanced proportion of intake and output.

"It is possible that obesity is caused by hormonal imbalance. It can only be overcome by routine physical exercise," he said.

Fat people, he said, should not worry too much.

"Being fat does not always mean unhealthy. Looking fat is also wonderful."

He said overweight people should see nutritionists to check if their condition was the result of a hormonal imbalance or other factors.

During his term as association chairman, Azrul said he had not received any complaints about the practices of slimming businesses here. However, he recalled an incident about five years ago when a woman died after liposuction.

Azwar lamented the government's failure to protect people from the dangers of relatively new methods.

"The government needs to issue a regulation on health services and slimming centers," he said.

Tini added that it was the Ministry of Health's responsibility to monitor the establishments that continue to spring up with promises that many are unable to keep. (imn/rid)

Tabel I: PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES/APPROXIMATE EXPENDITURE OF ENERGY

ACTIVITY, KCal/hr: Badminton, 300-480; Baseball & softball, 280-450; Basketball, 360-660; Boating, 240-900; Bowling, 240; Cycling, 240-660; Dancing, 240-560; Golfing, 240-360; Gymnastics, 300; Housework (vacuuming, mopping), 240-360; Hunting, 500; Karate and judo, 700; Mountain climbing, 600; Mowing, 200-450; Musical instruments, 150-300; Rope skipping, 300-800; Rowing machine, 840; Running, 600-1285; Sexual intercourse, 360-600; Skating, 420-700; Surfing, 480; Soccer, 750; Squash, 600-660; Stair climbing, 600-1080; Swimming, 360-840; Table tennis, 300-420; Tennis, 360-480; Typing, 240; Volleyball, 300-450; Walking, 120-1200; Weight training, 480; Window cleaning, 300;

Note: Calorie consumption is based on a person weighing 70 kilograms. There is a 10 percent increase in calorie consumption for each seven kgs over this weight and a 10 percent decrease for each seven kgs under 70 kgs.

Source: The Book of Health: The American Health Foundation

Tabel II: NUTRITIVE FOOD VALUES

Calorie Consumption (per 100 gram portion)

Food, Calories: Apples, 51.6-87.8; Avocados, 74; Bananas, 75.7; Beans, 69-92.4; Beef, 36.3-93.6; Beverages (alc), 57.5-92.1; Biscuits, 3-89.3; Breads, 24.3-36.4; Broccoli, 91.3; Butter, 15.5; Cabbage, 92.4-93.9; Chocolate candy, 0.9-8.2; Carrots, 88.2-91.2; Cheese, 37-78.3; Chewing gum, 89.5-92; Soybean, 71; Soybean milk, 92.4; Spaghetti, 63.6-77; Spinach, 92; Sugar, 0.5-2.1; Tea, 99.4; Tomatoes, 93.5-93.7; Yogurt, 88-89;

Source: The New York Public Library Desk Reference, 1993