Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Sciencey Diet

Not to be confused with the dog food "Science Diet", though, I would question how much actual science is behind that product as well, the post I'm linking here is actually about a recent Weight Watchers (WW) v. Jenny Craig (JC) lawsuit, where WW has taken issue with JC's commercials claiming that their diet is twice as effective as the other leading diets, supposedly based on clinical evidence.  Turns out, the science really isn't there to back it up.  It just goes to show how easy it is to claim something as science and with enough money, how easy it is to get that message out.  Normally, and without enough money on the other side, the message tends to stay out, and get seen or heard enough that it can become mainstream and then accepted as true.  Sure, the supposed effectiveness of Jennny Craig isn't nearly as important as global warming, vaccinations, or science education (where bad science messages get too much attention and by proxy, an undeserved air of credibility), but I think it still illustrates the point.  Whether you're voting on new schoolboard standards or just choosing which diet plan to go on, dig up the data for yourself, and make an informed decision... that's all I'm sayin'

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