Underregulated Weight-Loss Supplements Threaten Consumer Safety in Low and Low-Middle Income Countries: A Call to Action

Objective: A recent global scan study on Weight-Loss Supplements (WLS) highlights the urgent need for strengthened government regulations due to its global health risks. This study aimed to provide insights that would strengthen governmental oversight of these supplements in LMICs.

Methods: We conducted a survey of WLS policy experts from 21 LMICs, representing various World Bank income classifications and World Health Organization regions. The survey, administered online, explored aspects such as legal frameworks, monitoring and enforcement. Descriptive statistics were utilized to determine the presence or absence of regulatory measures.

Results: The 21 LMICs surveyed in this study, there were only four countries, namely, China, Morocco, Pakistan and India, where experts reported the presence of a definition for weightloss supplements used by their governing body. Experts from 13 countries reported the presence of non-registered or nonlicensed products in their countries’ markets. Experts from four countries (Ukraine, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Uganda) reported that regulators do not monitor weight-loss supplements in their respective countries.