Weight loss
Many people come to weight loss wanting a plan that is safe, realistic and suited to their body.
Weight loss companies
57 companies
About Weight loss
Weight loss covers the products and services that help people reduce their body weight in a managed way. It takes in meal replacement plans, programmes built around calorie control, prescription and pharmacy-led treatments, and coaching delivered in person, by phone or online. Some offerings focus on food and portion control, while others combine diet with activity, behavioural support or medical oversight.
The companies in this area range from national brands selling packaged food and online subscriptions to clinics, pharmacies and independent coaches who work with clients one to one. Most reach customers through websites, social media, high street outlets and referrals from doctors or pharmacists. Prescription-only medicines can only be supplied through regulated routes that require a clinical assessment first.
The market is overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which regulates medicines and medical devices, and by the Advertising Standards Authority, which sets rules for how weight loss products may be advertised. The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer protection law, including rules on misleading claims and unfair contract terms. The Care Quality Commission inspects regulated care and treatment services in England, and professional bodies such as the General Pharmaceutical Council and the General Medical Council set standards for the clinicians involved.
Questions about Weight loss
How do I know if a weight loss company is legitimate?
Check that the company is registered with Companies House and that it gives a full postal address, company number and contact details on its website. Look for clear information about who runs the programme and whether it is supervised by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, GP or pharmacist. Be cautious of claims of rapid results, before-and-after photos without context, or pressure to pay upfront for a long contract.
What should I compare before signing up to a weight loss programme?
Compare what is included, such as food, coaching, app access or medical reviews, and check whether any of these are optional extras that add to the total cost. Look at the length of the minimum commitment, the cancellation terms and whether you pay monthly or in advance. Check whether the programme suits any medical conditions you have and whether it requires a GP referral or health screening before you start.
Are weight loss products and programmes regulated in the UK?
Weight loss products that make health claims are covered by the Advertising Standards Authority under the CAP Code, which requires claims to be truthful and backed by evidence. Medicines, including many weight loss tablets and injections, must be licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and prescription-only medicines can only be supplied by a registered pharmacy or prescriber. Trading standards teams enforce the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which cover misleading and aggressive sales practices.
Can I cancel a weight loss contract within 14 days?
If you agreed to the contract online, by phone or away from business premises, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give you a right to cancel, and you must tell the company in writing or by another clear statement within 14 days of the contract starting. The company must refund you within 14 days of receiving your cancellation, using the same payment method unless you agree otherwise. If the service has already started during the cancellation period, you may still need to pay for what you have received, so check the terms carefully before you begin.
How do I cancel a weight loss subscription?
Read the terms and conditions to find the notice period and the required cancellation method, which should be clearly stated and no harder than the process used to sign up. Send written notice by email or post and keep a copy along with the date you sent it, as this is your proof of cancellation. If you are charged after cancelling, contact your bank or card provider, as you may be able to dispute the payment under the Consumer Credit Act or chargeback rules.
What happens if a weight loss product arrives damaged or late?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be of satisfactory quality, as described and delivered within a reasonable time, and you can reject faulty goods within 30 days for a full refund. If the delivery date was agreed and is missed, you can treat the contract as ended if the time was essential, and you can ask for a refund if the company does not deliver. Contact the company in writing first, state what is wrong and what you want, and keep photographs and packaging as evidence.
How do I make a complaint about a weight loss company?
Start by contacting the company directly in writing, giving your order details, a clear description of the problem and the outcome you want, and allow a reasonable time for a response. If the company does not resolve the matter, check whether it belongs to an alternative dispute resolution scheme such as the ADR Scheme approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute or the Advertising Standards Authority for marketing complaints. You can also report misleading practices to your local Trading Standards team or to Citizens Advice, which can advise on the next steps.
What are my consumer rights when buying weight loss services online?
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require the company to give clear pre-contract information, including the total price, the cancellation rights and the company's identity before you pay. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill, and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibit false or misleading information. You are also protected by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 if you pay by credit card for items costing over 100 pounds, giving you equal liability with the card provider.
Do weight loss companies have to be honest about before and after results?
The CAP Code, enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority, requires that testimonials and before and after images reflect typical results or clearly state what is typical, and must not mislead. Advertising for weight loss must not suggest that a product works without evidence, and claims about speed or amount of weight loss must be supported by sound substantiation. If you see results shown without context or with altered images, you can report the advert to the Advertising Standards Authority, which investigates and can require changes.
What should I look for in reviews of weight loss companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences, such as how the programme worked week to week, how cancellation was handled and how complaints were answered. Notice whether reviews mention the length of time the reviewer used the service, as early reviews rarely reflect the full experience of contracts and renewals. Treat large numbers of very short or very similar reviews with caution, and check whether the review platform states how it verifies that reviewers have used the service.
Is it safe to buy weight loss tablets or injections online?
Prescription-only weight loss medicines must only be supplied by a UK registered pharmacy or prescriber, and you should check the GPhC register to confirm a pharmacy is registered. Medicines bought from unregistered websites may be counterfeit or contain unlisted ingredients, which the MHRA warns about in its guidance on buying medicines online. Anyone offering a prescription medicine without a consultation with a registered prescriber is breaking the rules, so you should speak to your GP before starting any treatment.
Who do I contact if a weight loss company goes out of business or stops responding?
If the company has gone into administration or liquidation, check the official notices on the Gazette website and contact the appointed insolvency practitioner to make a claim as a creditor. If you paid by credit or debit card, contact your card provider as soon as possible, because you may be able to claim a chargeback or use section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if the purchase was over 100 pounds. You can also report the company to Trading Standards and to Action Fraud if you believe you have been defrauded, and Citizens Advice can help you decide which route is best.