Use of Weight Loss Supplements According to the Purported Mechanisms of Action Among Polish Adults Living in an Obesogenic Environment: The Role of Sociodemographic and Health-Related Factors.

Nearly 70% of respondents declared consumption of weight loss supplements (WLS).

• Study conducted among 1071 adults aged 19-80 years in Świętochłowice, Poland, a region with a high rate of overweightness and obesity.
• WLS consumers included 486 females and 259 males.
• Cross-sectional study design using face-to-face questionnaire.
• Data collected on PA level and WLS use simultaneously with anthropometric measurements.

Among WLS consumers, a substantial proportion did not have overweightness, obesity, or cardiometabolic risk.

• 43.4% of WLS consumers had normal BMI.
• 6.3% of WLS consumers were underweight.
• WLS use was thus common among individuals without an apparent clinical indication for weight loss supplementation.

Thermogenesis-enhancing supplements were the most popular category of WLS used.

• 38.0% of WLS consumers used supplements aimed at enhancing thermogenesis.
• The second most popular category was WLS decreasing appetite, used by 15.0% of WLS consumers.
• The third most popular category was WLS blocking dietary fat absorption, used by 13.0% of WLS consumers.
• WLS were classified according to their purported mechanisms of action.

Sociodemographic factors were strong determinants of using particular types of WLS.

• Sex, age, marital status, education, and financial status were identified as sociodemographic determinants.
• These factors were associated with the choice of specific WLS categories rather than WLS use overall.
• Mean values of anthropometric indices and PA level were different among consumers of various WLS types.

Anthropometric indices including BMI, waist-to-hips ratio, weight-to-height ratio, and fat mass percentage differed among consumers of various WLS types.

• BMI, waist-to-hips ratio (WHR), and weight-to-height ratio were calculated for all participants.
• Fat mass percentage was assessed as part of the anthropometric evaluation.
• Mean values of these anthropometric indices varied across consumers of different WLS categories.
• Physical activity level also differed among consumers of various WLS types.

The authors concluded that extensive educational programs and legislation are essential to promote rational and safe methods for reducing excessive body mass.

• WLS effectiveness is rarely supported by scientific-based evidence according to the authors.
• The widespread use of WLS among individuals without overweightness/obesity or cardiometabolic risk was identified as a concern.
• The authors called for justified, rational, effective, and safe methods for reducing excessive body mass.
• The study population was drawn from a region characterized as an 'obesogenic environment' with high rates of overweightness and obesity.