Obesity is rampant in the world and all are running around to find the most effective weight reduction ways. However, a recent report has ‘blacklisted’ some of the ways deeming them to be expensive and ineffective.

The report has put forth recommendations as part of the five year NHMRC-funded ‘Assessing Cost-Effectiveness in Prevention’ (ACE) report. The project was spearheaded by Professor Theo Vos of the Centre for Burden of Disease and Cost-Effectiveness at the University of Queensland and Professor Rob Carter of the Deakin Health Economics Unit at Deakin University.

The blacklisted weight reduction interventions that topped the report were PSA testing, Weight Watchers and dietary advice on fruit and vegetables. All the three were the ‘not-recommended’ techniques and the report advises that these should be dropped so as to incorporate more cost effective or inexpensive ways.

Further, weight loss drugs like orlistat, pre-diabetes treatment with rosiglitazone and the usage of raloxifene for keeping osteoporosis at bay were also put in the blacklisted category, as according to the report all these ways were heavy on the pocket and they also deemed as being ineffective in reducing weight.

Putting the onus on the Government, the authors of the report claimed that funds should be shuffled and reallocated. Further, they claimed that ‘tough but necessary’ decisions coupled with a stern approach should be encouraged.

Also, an increase in the tax on injurious products like cigarettes, alcohol and junk food was also recommended so as to tame the menace of obesity.