Some health experts are warning New Zealanders to be cautious of a growing reliance on AI-driven weight-loss advice and unregulated weight-loss products promoted through social media.
Dr Kieran Dang, clinical lead for telehealth provider Moshy NZ, says patients are increasingly being misled by social media promotions and artificial intelligence tools that offer unsafe or ineffective treatments.
“I’m deeply concerned by the rise of unregulated weight-loss products being promoted on social media. Patients tell me they’ve tried capsules or supplements sold online with no idea what’s actually in them. These are not prescription medications and can be dangerous,” Dr Dang says.
“As people set health goals for the new year, many turn to the internet for help, but what looks like a quick fix can do lasting damage. It’s important to recognise that credible weight-loss care needs proper medical oversight,” he says.
Dr Dang says the combination of social media, AI tools and unregulated supplements is creating a perfect storm for people seeking rapid results after the holiday season.
“January is when motivation is at its highest but also when people are most vulnerable to misinformation. What starts as a resolution to get healthy can quickly become a risk to your wellbeing.”
Dr Dang’s concerns do not apply to all social media content, noting that some verified and evidence-based health accounts provide valuable education and support.
“Social media can be a positive space when information comes from credible, medically verified sources. The danger lies with unverified accounts or AI-generated advice that appears trustworthy but has no clinical backing,” he says.
“My message to anyone looking to lose weight this year is simple. Check that any medication is Medsafe-registered, avoid buying supplements or capsules through social media, and always seek guidance from a licensed healthcare professional.
“Safe and effective weight loss needs medical supervision. If something promises instant results or sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” he says.
Similar concerns have been raised by Dr Anasuya Vishvanath, a medical doctor working in digital healthcare, about people following AI tools and influencer-led weight-loss advice with no medical oversight, often alongside supplements or capsules of unknown origin.
According to Dr Vishvanath many of these products are marketed as “natural” or “doctor approved”, yet may contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients that can impact heart health, blood pressure and metabolism.
A 2024 New Zealand study of dietary supplements found that high-risk weight-loss products may include undeclared prescription drugs or excessive caffeine, meaning consumers are ingesting unknown and potentially dangerous substances.
Medsafe has identified unapproved diet-pill products in New Zealand that were found to contain prescription medicines or controlled substances, including sibutramine and phenethylamine, which are linked to heart rate, blood pressure and valve risks.
