ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605300071
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Some of the most popular weight-loss centers withhold basic information from prospective clients, consumer groups complained to the government Wednesday.
When information is given, it's oral, making it difficult for consumers to evaluate programs and comparison-shop, the complaint to the Federal Trade Commission said.
The consumer coalition, led by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, wants the FTC to require weight-loss centers to provide written information about their services and staff to anyone thinking about signing up. The disclosures would include a program's cost, length, effectiveness and safety as well as the qualifications of staff.
Last year, 7.5 million people spent more than $1.7 billion at commercial weight-loss centers. The five largest are Jenny Craig, Nutri/System, Diet Center, Physicians Weight Loss Centers and Weight Watchers International.
At least one diet center - Weight Watchers - agreed with the Center for Science in the Public Interest. ``We agree ... there needs to be more standardized practices across the board,'' said Linda Carilli, a registered dietician and spokeswoman for the chain.
Registration and fees for the Weight Watchers program, based on weekly meetings, are fully disclosed, she said.
A company statement said Jenny Craig is ``confident in the efficacy of its program'' and follows regulatory requirements regarding advertising and disclosure of information. Jenny Craig added that the costs and the length of its program, staff credentials and health risks associated with too-quick weight loss also are disclosed to participants before they enroll.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB