The Consumer Council has cast doubt on the veracity of advertising claims of some electronic exercise belts being marketed in Hong Kong.
The Council is concerned that unsubstantiated claims on such products could give the users a false sense of security believing that they would help improve their physical condition when, in fact, they could not.
The Council has studied the advertising claims made by promoters of seven samples of electronic exercise belts.
According to these claims, four of the samples could contract and relax muscles by sending electric pulses or signals from the belts to the nerves. This, in turn, could purportedly stimulate and exercise the nerves and the muscles.
In other three samples, the claims suggest that they could integrate the multi-functions of high-pressure airwave, vibrating massage, heat and magnetic treatment together to enhance the general well-being of the body.
The study found most of the advertising claims of these products, extracted from the promotional materials, to be very similar.
Imagine, in one case, "just 30 minutes of daily workout ……helps to get results similar 240 sit-ups". In another, in a similar vein, "just 20 minutes of daily workout …… helps to get results similar to 800 sit-ups".
The Council has sought substantiation of these claims from the agents concerned but the information obtained was deemed inadequate to conclusively support their claims.
It has also sought the views of the Department of Health, and the Customs and Excise Department which are the enforcement agencies for the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO) and the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) respectively.
The Department of Health was of the view that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that these electronic exercise belts are effective as suggested in their claims. The products concerned do not fall into the scope of the UMAO as the claims are not related to the treatment of any disease.
The Customs and Excise Department undertook to study the claims further before determining if a false trade description has been applied under the TDO.
In the absence of any substantiation of such claims, consumers will do well to take note of the medical opinions on these products.
According to the opinions of medical experts, the involuntary movement of muscle contraction and relaxation resulting from stimulation of these electronic exercise belts would not help building or strengthening muscles as with the case in physical exercise.
Further, these products are not suitable for use by persons with diagnosed or suspected epilepsy, heart problems, and pregnant women. Misuse may result in burns, braising or skin irritation.
Health-conscious consumers should always seek advice from health care professionals for an assessment of their physical conditions before deciding whether certain devices are relevant to improve their conditions.
Consumers should also carefully evaluate the validity of the advertising claims of so-called health products and whether it is worth the large sum of money spent on products whose efficacy is not well proven.
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