A television ad shows a couple in bed each eating a bowl of ice cream. When the male leans over and tries to taste her woman's ice cream, she pulls away and asks him if he has taken his pill. When he shakes his head, no, she takes away his ice cream, and he slowly climbs out of bed. No this is not an ad for Viagra. It is an ad for a pill that blocks fat absorption. The guy was not allowed to eat his high-fat ice cream unless he first swallowed a pill that prevents fat from being digested. The scenario did not spell out what happens to the fat.

This ad speaks to what is wrong with current weight-loss therapies. Medications that suppress appetite or digestion (as in the case of the fat blocker) or diets that restrict whole categories of foods (such as carbohydrates) are usually followed by weight gain once the diet is over. Even though weight has been lost, the habit of eating when emotionally distressed or in a stressful situation has not disappeared.

The dieter must understand why overeating occurred in the past and develop skills to avoid doing the same in the future.

Why for example, is the couple in the ad eating ice cream in bed? Presumably they are not hungry. Did the guy run out of Viagra? Is eating ice cream a substitute? Are they stressed from work and eating to feel relaxed enough to go to sleep? Are they angry with each other and unconsciously hoping the fat content of the ice cream will dull them emotionally so they won't fight?

A pill that prevents digestion will not produce answers as to why excess calories are being eaten.

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