Kimkins: An Internet Diet Scam

Americans spend an estimated 35 billion on diet products each year. But, buyer beware. Falling for a diet scam can end up doing more than just lighten your wallet, it can damage your health, and your emotional wellbeing.

Kimkins, an internet diet scam of huge proportions, has once again received national news coverage. Heidi Diaz (who goes by the online alias of Kimmer) claimed to weigh 118 pounds, having lost nearly 200 pounds in less than a year and maintaining that loss for approximately 5 years. It was later discovered by Private Investigator Robert Charlton of Alliance Investigative Services that Heidi Diaz had not lost the weight but instead was a morbidly obese woman residing in California. Ex members and concerned citizens banning together discovered that she had littered her website with elaborate fabricated success stories that she had written herself, taking the before and after pictures (including the one representing her own after picture: a beautiful woman in a red dress, upper left corner of picture above) from online Russian Bride sites, furthering the fraud.

Having no medical, nutritional, or science background, Heidi Diaz doled out dangerous diet advice that promoted extremely low calories, laxative use, and anorexic eating behaviors and practices. Members who posted at Kimkins of their concerns with health issues, dared to questioned the validity of the success stories, or discussed these problems on other internet sites were swiftly stripped of their paid lifetime memberships without warning or reimbursement.

It is estimated that Heidi Diaz's scam netted her well over 2 million dollars. There is currently a lawsuit against her by prior members and her assets have been frozen. It is hoped that her site will soon be shut down due to the fraud, dangerous diet, and dieting advice.

View the report: Insider Exclusive with Steve Murphy.

For a transcript of the report: Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Pickles

For additional information:
Kimkins: Anatomy of a Diet Scam
The Kimkins Controversy
Kimkins Class Action Lawsuit
Russian Brides: Fake Kimkins Success Stories
Law Offices of Tiedt and Hurd
Google: Kimkins Scam

If you were or are a current member of kimkins you can join the lawsuit. To join, simply send your name, address, day and evening phone number, approximate join date and amount paid to Kimkins.com to kimkinslawsuit@yahoo.com.




Sources:
http://www.insiderexclusive.com/firm_cohen2.htm http://www.3fatchicks.com/Diets/Diet_Articles/Kimkins:_Anatomy_of_a_Diet_Scam/ http://kimkinsclassactionlawsuit.blogspot.com/ http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/populardietplans/a/kimkinsdiet_2.htm http://honeybeesblog.wordpress.com/russian-brides-fake-kimkins-success-stories/ http://tiedtlaw.com/attyBiog.jsp?x=412405&y=9668149&z=353031
http://www.allianceagent.com/
pictures: http://www.slamboard.com
http://2medusa.blogspot.com/
http://honeybeesblog.wordpress.com/russian-brides-fake-kimkins-success-stories/

Eating Disorders: Compulsive Overeating / Binge Eating Disorder

Those who suffer from Compulsive Overeating (also known as binge eating) use food to calm stresses and life problems, numb feelings, and to fill a void. The compulsive overeater is usually aware that their eating habits are abnormal and often feel guilt and shame because of it. Their food consumption may consist of eating three meals a day with snacks in between, eating continuously throughout the day, or eating large amounts all at once. Though compulsive overeating often results in obesity, this does not mean that all obese people have this disorder. It is estimated that as many as 4 million adults suffer with this eating disorder, affecting two males to every three females. The physical complications of compulsive overeating are: weight gain, depression, gall bladder disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, bone deterioration, kidney disease/failure, arthritis, fatigue, nausea, and stroke.

Warning Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

"Here are some of the common warning signs that suggest a person may be suffering from binge eating disorder. The person:"

• Eats large amounts of food when not physically hungry.
• Eats much more rapidly than normal.
• Eats until the point of feeling uncomfortably full.
• Often eats alone because of shame or embarrassment.
• Has feelings of depression, disgust, or guilt after eating.
• Has a history of marked weight fluctuations.

According to Ahealth.com: "Several methods are being used to treat binge eating disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients techniques to monitor and change their eating habits as well as to change the way they respond to difficult situations. Interpersonal psychotherapy helps people examine their relationships with friends and family and to make changes in problem areas. Treatment with medications such as antidepressants may be helpful for some individuals. Self-help groups also may be a source of support. Researchers are still trying to determine which method or combination of methods is the most effective in controlling binge eating disorder. The type of treatment that is best for an individual is a matter for discussion between the patient and his or her health care provider. If you believe you have binge eating disorder, it's important you realize that you are not alone. Most people who have the disorder have tried unsuccessfully to control it on their own. You may want to seek professional treatment."

Overeaters Anonymous has a 12 step program for compulsive overeaters.


compiled from the following sources: http://psychologytoday.com/conditions/overeating.html http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethey/coe.php http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/nutrition/ec_compulsiveeating.htm http://www.renfrewcenter.com/for-you/signs-symptoms.asp http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/Bingeeating.html
picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehelm/4454701044/

Food And It's Affect On Mood

Medusa has a very interesting article concerning the affect food has on our emotions. Check it out: "Are We Emotionally What We Eat?"

Excerpt: "Starving causes people to feel high and spaced out and separated from their emotions," says Mrs Jade.

"When you starve, you don't feel the normal range of emotions. You feel kind of insulated from them. It doesn't mean you don't get depressed and miserable - you can get severely depressed - but we are talking about a narrowing of emotional range."

Sources: http://2medusa.blogspot.com/2008/03/are-we-emotionally-what-we-eat.html
Picture source: http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp