The regulation on the use of supplements for weight control: Case studies from Australia, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background

Overweight and obesity have become more prevalent worldwide which has led to an increase in the demand for non-prescribed weight loss supplements. Given that these products are loosely regulated, they are often misused by adolescents and young adults.

Objective

This study aims to review regulatory policies for weight loss supplements in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom to identify areas for improvement.

Method

Peer-reviewed literature was retrieved from EMBASE, OVID, and EBSCOhost databases. Grey literature was identified using Google Advanced Search with 32 targeted keywords and region-specific government domains (.gov.au, .gov, .gov.uk). A narrative synthesis was employed to analyze and compare regulatory policies.

Results

A total of 34 articles (7 peer-reviewed and 27 grey literature documents) were included. In Australia, weight loss supplements are classified as low-risk medicines and are not subject to pre-market regulation. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration primarily enforces regulations post-market. In contrast, the United Kingdom has implemented proactive measures through collaborations between government organizations. These include restrictions on the sale and packaging of over-the-counter laxatives and mandatory pharmacist consultations to assess patient needs.

Conclusions

The findings highlight significant regulatory gaps in Australia and the US compared to the UK. Adopting similar policies to those implemented in the UK could help reduce the accessibility of weight loss supplements among at-risk populations like adolescents and young adults. This study also discusses the implications of these findings for developing effective policies and regulations for non-prescribed weight loss supplements.