Online Survey of Slimming Products Use among the Thais

Abstract

Background: Slimming products are available for sale on the internet without a prescription. Some slimming products have side effects such as headaches, constipation, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia; and in some cases, death. The purpose of this study was to survey the factors influencing slimming products usage among Thais via an online questionnaire. 

Method: This was a cross-sectional study. The participants were 400 Thai people who used social networks. The questionnaire was constructed based on a survey website and then distributed online. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test were used. All statistics were performed by SPSS statistical package version 21, licensed for Mae Fah Luang University.

Results: A total of 60.75% of participants were dissatisfied with their body shape; even though most of them had normal BMI (63.00%). There were 173 participants (43.25%) who took slimming products for weight loss, 90 participants (52.02%) perceived the products as quite safe and approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (114 participants, 65.90%). Most slimming product users searched for product information prior to use (84.97%) and purchased products through the internet (50.29%). Results indicated that 227 participants (56.75%) never used slimming products because they were concerned about the side effects. However, 85 participants of non-users tended to use the slimming products and 87.06% of these (74 participants) tended to use safe products. In addition, gender, income, attitude towards body shape, body satisfaction and BMI were significant factors influencing slimming products use.

Conclusions: The findings indicated that attitude towards body shape and body dissatisfaction led to slimming product use among Thais who were active on social networks. Most were concerned about product safety and FDA regulation before actual use; and they tended to use products which were considered safe.