‘Skinny Pills’ for obese children criticised as ‘junk science’

DOCTORS yesterday criticised a new “Skinny Pill” for children which claims to help obese American youngsters “win their battle with fat.”

The diet supplement, a mix of minerals, vitamins and herbs, is targeted at overweight six to 12-year-olds.

Creator Edita Kaye claimed it was “a safe solution to the very real risk ... created by juvenile obesity.”

“It helps their metabolism and gives kids hope and motivation,” Ms Kaye, who describes herself as America’s favourite nutritionist, told the New York Post.

“The reality is, mommy is taking pills to lose weight and daddy’s taking stuff to help him, so why not make something safe for kids?”

But Dr Keith Ayoob, professor of paediatrics at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, called the supplements “junk science.” “The vitamins she puts in there aren’t anything you can’t get from a balanced diet or a regular multivitamin,” he said.

Dr Kerry Sulkowicz, from the American Psychoanalytic Association, said it set a dangerous precedent that pills could provide a solution to every problem. “Clearly there are risks, psychologically and physically, to obesity at any age, but obesity is not a simply physical matter.

A 30-day supply of Skinny Pills is sold for $40 on Ms Kaye’s website, which she runs from Jacksonville, Florida.