Researchers Create A Weight Loss Device That Locks People’s Jaws Shut To Stop Them From Eating. What Nonsense!
What most people don’t understand about weight loss is that it’s more about being healthy and fit than it is about looking skinny. Our innate need to achieve society’s unrealistic beauty standards is what has made people aim for perfection that doesn’t exist. I’ve seen people workout until they can’t stand anymore and embark on insane diets just to shed a few kilos.
A few of the weight loss methods that I have read about leave me absolutely perplexed. Like the wine and cheese diet or the tapeworm diet. Have you heard of these? They do more harm to your body than good and you don’t end up losing any weight. Speaking of insane ways to lose weight, recently scientists have created a new weight-loss device. Before you get too excited, let me tell you how it works. This device basically locks your jaw to prevent you from eating any solid food. You’re forced to go on an all-liquid-diet. To me, it sounds more like a torture device used in the medieval ages.
The DentalSlim Diet Control, developed by researchers at the New Zealand’s University of Otago is a magnetic device that is fitted on a person’s upper and lower back teeth. It uses locking bolts to prevent them from opening their mouths more than 2mm making it impossible to eat any solid food. Although, according to reports, it does not interfere with a person’s speech or breathing. But that doesn’t make this device acceptable.
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
On Monday, the University of Otago said in a media release, “It allows the wearer to open their mouths only about 2mm, restricting them to a liquid diet, but it allows free speech and doesn’t restrict breathing. Participants in a Dunedin-based trial lost an average of 6.36kg [about 14 pounds] in two weeks and were motivated to continue with their weight loss journey.”
Professor Paul Brunton, lead researcher for the DentalSlim Diet Control and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at University of Otago’s Division of Health Sciences, said that this device is fitted by a dentist and can be easily removed and reattached as per the patient’s needs. There are no adverse effects of this product. He said this device is “a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures.”
Obviously, Twitter had a field day with this device. The University of Otago faced tremendous backlash from people on social media. Some called this weight loss device “evil,” “hateful” and “disturbing”. While others said that it was an extremely unhealthy method of losing weight and they pointed out that simply wiring a person’s mouth shut will not cure obesity. They’re all right. This device is propagating the same insane weight loss methods that we are trying to do away with.
Within hours of the apparatus being announced on Twitter, detractors were lashing out, with some calling the device “evil.”https://t.co/CWKYuCzm3m
— VICE World News (@VICEWorldNews) June 28, 2021
Also Read: TikTok Bans Ads That Promote Dieting, Weight Loss Products And Fasting Apps. We Think It’s A Great Step!
After receiving a colossal amount of heat for this device, the University of Otago tried to defend their product by saying that this device was made to help people who need surgery but can’t undergo the operation until they lose some weight. They said, “To clarify, the intention of the device is not intended as a quick or long-term weight-loss tool; rather it is aimed to assist people who need to undergo surgery and who cannot have the surgery until they have lost weight.”
Further adding, “After two or three weeks they can have the magnets disengaged and the device removed. They could then have a period with a less restricted diet and then go back into treatment. This would allow for a phased approach to weight loss supported by advice from a dietician.”
How did the researchers not realise that locking someone’s jaw is unethical? Not to mention the severe consequences it could cause. In fact, reportedly, initial findings of the DentalSlim Diet Control indicated that participants had trouble pronouncing some words. They occasionally felt some discomfort, a change in taste and an uncomfortable sensation while drinking. Devices like this one should not be legal. Wiring someone’s mouth shut is not the solution to anything. Just because it seems like a shortcut to losing weight does not mean it won’t cause serious damage. Exercise and eat mindfully. Before you know it, you won’t need to use torture equipment to lose weight.
Exclusive: Nutritionist Neha Ranglani Busts Weight Loss Myths And Talks About PCOS
