Statistics and Advertising

Statistics are often used in advertisements to certify claims about a product’s value or
performance. In addition, statistics demonstrate the trustworthiness of a product. This can be in
the form of positive customer reviews, impressive sales figures or industry awards. In essence,
statistics in product advertisements can influence potential customers and assist in maintaining
existing ones. Despite the numerous advertising strategies, some companies engage questionable
statistical approaches to entice consumers to use their products or services.

Advertisement Summary

Health fitness companies increasingly employ exaggerated weight loss advertisements to
attract more customers to their settings. Lim et al. (2018) identify that health advocates and
researchers often criticize weight loss products due to the prevalence of misinformation.
Typically, exaggerated weight loss advertisements claim that a product can help customers lose a
vast amount of weight quickly without making any lifestyle changes. These claims are often
false and can give people unrealistic expectations about their weight loss journey. Overall, one’s
consumption of a controversial product can substantially affect perceptions about the influence
of product advertising on others.

Consequences

The consequences of using exaggerated or misinformed statistical data in weight loss
advertisements can be highly destructive. For instance, consumers may be misled into believing
they can achieve their weight loss goals without making lifestyle changes. This misinformation
will gradually lead to disappointment and frustration for the concerned parties. Additionally, it
can be damaging to people who need more time or resources to make the changes necessary for

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successful and sustainable weight loss. Subsequently, it can lead people to purchase ineffective
or harmful products based on false claims and thus waste their money.
Misrepresentation of Statistics

Misrepresentation of statistics on weight loss can significantly lead to false expectations.
For example, some companies relay advertisements claiming that a person can lose 10 pounds
weekly by using a particular product. This would be misleading as most health professionals
recommend a steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week. Notably, companies may cite average
results that need to be updated or scientifically proven. Additionally, they may relay statistics
that do not adequately represent the product outcome. Consequently, they may exaggerate their
product’s effectiveness and make claims not backed up by scientific evidence. Overall,
misrepresenting statistics in advertisements can lead to an unhealthy obsession with weight loss
and adverse health issues for the customers.

Ethical Solution

Developing an ethical solution is a concise way to counter the persistent spread of
statistical misinformation about weight loss products in society. Thus, the most ethical solution is
to develop stricter regulations and enforceable standards for advertising and labeling. In essence,
companies should be held accountable for ensuring that their claims are accurate, while
misleading advertising is met with strict consequences. Additionally, research into the safety and
efficacy of weight loss products should be conducted independently and verified by regulatory
bodies before any products are marketed to the public. This way, the concerned authorities can
shield customers from knowingly or unknowingly harming themselves. In conclusion, consumers
should be educated on spotting false or exaggerated information to make better-informed
decisions when considering weight loss products.

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Conclusion

Despite the numerous advertising strategies, some companies engage questionable
statistical approaches to entice consumers to use their products or services. Notably,
advertisements often use statistics to certify claims about a product’s value. Additionally,
statistics can be used to demonstrate the trustworthiness of a product and its performance. This
can be in positive customer reviews or impressive sales figures. All in all, misrepresentation and
exaggeration of information and statistics made by various companies instigates a harmful effect
on the health status of consumers accessing most of the products in society.

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References

Lim, J. S., Chock, T. M., & Golan, G. J. (2020). Consumer perceptions of online advertising of
weight loss products: the role of social norms and perceived deception. Journal of
Marketing Communications, 26(2), 145-165.