Desperate to Lose Weight? Don't Try This!

Americans have been singled out as being an obese society, but according to the World Health Organization, the obesity epidemic has gone worldwide. As a consequence, millions of people are willing to try any diet tips to shed the pounds - except, of course the tried and true method of "eat less/exercise more". Here are some of the worst ways people try to lose weight.

10) Fad Diets - There are thousands of them, like the Cabbage Soup diet, all offering quick and easy weight loss. The American Heart Association reminds us "Because most quick-weight-loss diets require drastic changes in eating patterns, you can't stay on them for long." While a small amount of weight can be lost, as soon as the diet is over, the weight comes back. Additionally, fad diets can cause health problems by focusing on one food and neglecting other needed nutrients.

9) The Phony AHA Diet - Technically another fad diet, this one is just a bit worse because it purports to be approved by the American Heart Association. The diet includes foods like hot dogs, ice cream and cheese - all foods which the AHA recommends cutting down on.

8) Ear Stapling - Based on a form of acupuncture, small staples are inserted into the ear's cartilage. Ouch. While some studies have shown that it can reduce appetite, it hasn't been proven to help with weight loss. The staples, left in for at least a month, can cause infection and damage to the ear cartilage says the Mayo Health Clinic.

7) OTC Diet Pills - The sales of diet pills are through the roof in America, and although manufacturers make claims of safety and effectiveness, studies show that it's just not true. Over the counter pills don't work and can be downright dangerous. Some contain drugs that have been proven to increase the risk of bleeding in the brain. If you think you need a pill to lose weight, read on...

6) Prescription Diet Pills - Most prescription diet pills work by suppressing the appetite. The effectiveness of prescription pills is debatable in the health community; WebMD reports that while pills can help people lose as much as 22 lbs in a year, the long term use of the pills themselves may have adverse effects on health.

5) Diuretics - Diuretics (water pills) work by flushing water through your body, so you aren't losing fat, you're losing water. As soon as you stop taking the pills, your body reabsorbs water from what you eat and drink, and the weight is right back. Continue to take them, and you become dehydrated and sick. Overuse of diuretics can even lead to loss of kidney function.

4) Laxatives - Often used by people with eating disorders, laxatives don't actually help with weight loss because they can't stop absorption of calories in the small intestine. Like diuretics, they encourage fluid loss leading to the same dehydration risks. However, laxatives can create a dependency on their use, and continued use can also lead to blood loss from the intestines. They may even cause an increased risk of colon cancer.

3) Vomiting - In addition to dehydration, excessive vomiting has plenty of other problems attached; the constant irritation to the gastric system can cause ulcers, salivary gland swelling, and chronic inflammation of the esophagus. Varicose veins can form in the esophagus and later burst and bleed, leading to anemia. Oh... did we mention very bad breath?

2) IpecacSyrup - Usually used to induce vomiting in case of poisoning, Ipecac has become popular by those who would rather vomit up food than digest it. Ipecac syrup causes more problems than just vomiting alone - side effects include seizures, shock and breathing problems - and overdoses can lead to death.

1) Starvation - Yes, starvation is #1 on my list of worst ways to lose weight. It simply doesn't work - it causes your body to start craving food which leads to binge eating, so any weight loss you may manage quickly comes back. Worse are the physical side effects - insulin resistance and diabetes to name a few. It also causes the body to start using lean muscle for fuel, including heart muscle, which can lead to cardiac arrest and sudden death.

So, what's a person to do? The best advice is still the simplest - Eat lots of vegetables, and choose meats that are low in fat. Eat less in general. And get out and exercise!

Over the Counter Diet Pills and Herbal Weight Loss Products, Health Reserve.Com

Diuretics Review, Vital Health Partners

Laxative Abuse, The Women's Center for Healthy Living

Health Risks of Bulimia, Coping with Binge Eating.com

Matthew Tiemeyer, Abuse of Ipecac Syrup in Binge Eating, About.com

Research on VLCD Risks, A Pinch of Health.com