Herbal Remedy Use in Obesity Management: Prevalence, Beliefs, Safety Concerns, and Disclosure Practices Among Adults

Abstract

Obesity is a health issue that has become widespread and has caused severe morbidity across the world. In addition to traditional medicines, most people resort to the use of herbal medicines for weight loss, which is often driven by the culture, availability, and safety perceptions. The present paper examined the use of herbal remedies in the management of obesity, the demographic and belief aspects of its application, safety, and disclosure. Four hundred and fifty-two adults who were overweight and obese were recruited in a cross-sectional survey in weight management clinics, fitness facilities, and online support groups. Demographic variables were gathered, including patterns of herbal use, beliefs on safety and effectiveness, adverse events, and disclosure to healthcare providers. The use of herbal remedies was found to be 50.4 percent, with green tea, turmeric, fenugreek, and garcinia cambogia being the most commonly used. The prevalence of use was much higher in women and people who are highly educated, and the positive beliefs were a strong predictor of use. The adverse events reported by about a third of users mainly were gastrointestinal disturbances, and only 38.2% of users reported that they had used herbs to healthcare professionals. This evidence shows that herbal treatments are highly used in the treatment of obesity and are coupled with safety issues and low reporting rates. Evidence-based care requires safe and targeted education and enhanced communication.