Effects of an over-the-counter herbal weight management product (Zotrim®) on weight and waist circumference in a sample of overweight women: a consumer study

• Published in: Nutrition and food science Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 303 - 314
• Main Authors: Ruxton, C.H.S., Hinton, F., Evans, C.E.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01-01-2005
• Subjects: Folk medicine; Health risks; herbal medicines; Hunger; Nonprescription drugs; Obesity; overweight; product evaluation; Side effects; waist circumference; waist-to-hip ratio; Weight control; weight loss; Women; Zotrim; Body regions; Obesity; Health education; Medicines
• ISSN: 0034-6659; 1758-6917
• DOI: 10.1108/00346650510625494

Purpose - Aims to carry out a consumer intervention study to evaluate the impact of an over-the-counter herbal weight management product (Zotrim®) on weight and waist circumference.Design methodology approach - Overweight women were recruited using local media and 61 passed initial screening to begin a four-week intervention using a free sample of Zotrim at a dosage corresponding to manufacturers' recommendations. A total of 56 subjects completed the study, but data on all 61 were included in the "intention to treat" analysis.Findings - There was a self-reported mean weight loss of 1.79kg (0.45kg per week) at week 4. Data on perceived hunger and fullness from three sets of questionnaires suggested that subjects felt less hungry between meals and fuller after meals at weeks 1 and 4 compared with base-line. This is likely to have impacted on energy intake and may account for the weight loss. Average weight loss as a percentage of baseline was 2.3 per cent, but this masked a broad range, suggesting that some subjects benefited more than others. Taking into account adjusted guidelines for clinically significant weight loss, 23 per cent of subjects achieved this cut-off, suggesting that their risk of chronic disease had reduced. Similarly, waist circumference (an independent measure of disease risk) decreased by an average of 4.3cm during the four-week period. This reduced the number of subjects exceeding SIGN guidelines for central obesity from 93 per cent to 83 per cent.Originality value - Adds to the body of knowledge by proring that Zotrim can aid weight loss and help reduce waist circumference.