Jaw-locking device aimed at fighting obesity faces major backlash
Could this be the solution to obesity and weight-gain? The Internet says "no".
Healthy eating, fat-camp, crash diets, juice cleanses, gym memberships, the list of weight loss hacks, tips, tricks, and advice goes on.
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There are many things people try to incorporate into their lives when they are trying to adjust their current lifestyle to a healthier one, and something that tends to be quite the common investment is workout/health equipment.
Many of these devices are scams or they just seem quite ridiculous.
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The most recent weight loss invention that was presented to the public this week left people with more questions than answers.
A team of scientists in Leeds, England and a group of researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand decided to work together to create a device that would help combat obesity and together they successfully developed the DentalSlim Diet Control.
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At this time, the device has actually been trialled on seven obese women in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The University of Otago tweeted a picture of the device along with a link to all the information about the device.
They described it as: "A world-first weight-loss device to help fight the global obesity epidemic".
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The results of their trial have been published in the British Dental Journal and described how the seven women had been fitted with the device and then followed a liquid diet.
This is what the device looks like:
Otago and UK researchers have developed a world-first weight-loss device to help fight the global obesity epidemic: an intra-oral device that restricts a person to a liquid diet. Read more: https://t.co/eLhXwipiqs pic.twitter.com/Of6v3uvVbX
— University of Otago (@otago) June 28, 2021
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The medical contraption is a magnetic device and is fitted to the upper and lower back teeth. It prevents the wearer from eating any solid food as their jaw can't open more than 2mm.
The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new habits, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time. It really kick-starts the process. It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures.
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While the women involved in the trial did lose an average of 5.1% of their body weight (a loss of 6.36kg), and Professor Brunton states that there are "no adverse consequences" to wearing the device, the women weren't all that impressed.
They did report that they felt uncomfortable, that life generally was less satisfying, and that some had struggled to speak.
Many experts think this device looks like something out of a medieval torture chamber and we feel inclined to agree.
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After the University posted its first tweet, showing off the device, they were met with almost immediate backlash.
This is literally torture and the people who developed this should be checked out for favoring abusive tendencies under the guise of benevolence.
— Elenca (@KKElenca) June 28, 2021
a holistic solution to obesity that focuses on its socio-economic roots and promotes access (time, cost, etc) to healthy, sustainable diets? no, let's bolt fatties' mouths shut and put them on a forced juice cleanse!
— Katjo Buissink ✏️ (@proletarikat) June 28, 2021
Delete this. Delete the research team. Delete everything.
— Dr. Raven the Science Maven (@ravenscimaven) June 28, 2021
a holistic solution to obesity that focuses on its socio-economic roots and promotes access (time, cost, etc) to healthy, sustainable diets? no, let's bolt fatties' mouths shut and put them on a forced juice cleanse!
— Katjo Buissink ✏️ (@proletarikat) June 28, 2021
Delete this. Delete the research team. Delete everything.
— Dr. Raven the Science Maven (@ravenscimaven) June 28, 2021
I can’t imagine how mortifying it would be to wear this thing. Sorry, I’m a fat person so I’m unable to talk, brush my teeth, sneeze, cough?!
— Platinum Pixie (@platinumpixienz) June 28, 2021
And it was also soon revealed that the device isn't that foolproof, as one of the trial participants enjoyed sodas and melted down chocolate while wearing the device.
There might be some devices out there that really do help you lose weight, but surely they shouldn't stop you from consuming solid food and being able to communicate?
We'll stick to begrudgingly going to the gym (after lockdown, of course) and climbing the stairs at work.
Main image courtesy of @otago/Twitter