Kimkins Cheers Child Dieting on Site
For months now Kimkins has caused concern due to what appears to be a marketing campaign directed at teens and younger women. One online writer took the site to task in the article when they wrote:
This plan is known as "Kimkins," a Hello Kitty adorable (and seemingly safe) name of cute affixed to a dark way of eating that the magazine is said to have actually modified due to its insanely low caloric counts. Now appearing to be barely more balanced at 1,000 daily calories, one visit to the fitday.com accounts of any one of many dedicated followers of the plan reveals numbers anywhere from 300-600 calories per day.
Additionally, merchandise for sale at a site store for Kimkins proudly advertises SNATT (Semi-Nauseous All The Time) items, a desirable trait by those seeking to subsist on little more than the numbers which tend to be heralded as dietary plans provided at pro-anorexia sites.
Feeding on the young
Some disturbing propaganda via viral advertising online and spamming sites with information, promises and links to Kimkins are targeting the youthful audiences in the country through affiliate programs and aggressive marketing techniques.One such man, at the age of 14 was looking to lose weight, and to lose it quickly. Like many today, he asked how he might do this at a popular on-line site where people ask questions and receive answers from potentially millions of users. He was almost immediately eagerly courted by a Kimkins follower, who promised him quick weight loss, and provided a link to a site which required $60 for membership.
It was discovered later, by the young man's own admissions at a different site, that his mother refused to give him the money to join.
Still, there are others being pressured to join through whispers that 'certain actresses are following the plan with great success' and through more nefarious marketing practices, such as paid affiliates and pressure to recruit at myriad websites.
That article was published before Kimmer (Heidi Diaz) was interviewed via phone by Jimmy Moore, in what would become a three part podcast. Without even being asked about teens on her site, Kimmer ended the with the following:
I also turn [away] teenagers. Only because — we have teenagers on site, but teenagers as I know first hand, tend to be extreme. If you say do A, they will do A times a hundred. And, with my experience with teenagers, I, I just don’t wanna do, to encourage them.
Imagine our surprise yesterday, when between Deni, a young woman who lost weight on Kimkins who is also a moderator on the site, and her cousin who is concerned for her health and the health of her aunt, Deni's mother, who is also dieting wtih Kimkins and someone in the comments section noted:
Deni states that she does not recommend kimkins for teens. Just 5 days ago, she congratulated (”I’m so proud of you!!!) a 14 year old that posted on the “Success in Progress” forum, under the topic “update again! High school freshman.
Deni replied and you can read that in the article linked above too.
We wondered, is it true that a young woman is indeed actively following the Kimkins diet and being cheered along without any concern for her age? After reviewing many posts, we found this young woman's posts and in her profile we learned she was born in April 1993, making her just 14 years old.
She's participated in a Boot Camp with a strict 500 calorie limit each day and a mandatory 30 minutes of exercise. She's posted numerous progress updates and has been cheered on with no one appearing to be concerned that this teen may be making a habit of yo-yo dieting very early in life. And, she has indeed been cheered along not only by administrators on the site, but a number of adults, some who are parents with young daughters too!
This, a young woman who has posted things like
But food can be really just as bad as ciggarettes. adicting and too much can be bad for your health alot of us were at the breaking point health wise and mental wise. If your whole summer was supposed to be about food... is that really something to behappy about?
And,
personally have read everything on the internet about this diet and I know for a fact that what someone is saying isn't necesarilly true. I am not gonna sit here and read the 32 pages of peoples oppinions but if you can't believe kimmer look at me. I can't be fake. I'm 14... I am a normal person who has had trouble loosing weight my WHOLE LIFE! and anyone on Atkins, south beach, Kimkins, w/e could say their diet is better... or worse... But by all the people loosing weight on this diet, there is your proof. I am truely sorry for whatever you may have read but you are scarring away all the newbies on here... and for what...? No one has died on this diet... from what I have seen no one is disapointed in the results. So doubt if you must... but this diet is for real, it always will be.
She is also being cheered along to keep dieting with Kimkins.
Deni was one moderator who, in an update post this young woman made, cheered her on with "I'm so proud of you!!!"
Some adults have cheered her with
My daughter, who is 13 (we talked about her) is watching you transform and I have seen her eating habits change (not exactly Kimkins, but better). You are definately an inspiration to many of us!! I can only imagine how difficult this program is with all of the temptations of a teenager!! Keep it up!!
Another cheered her with
You look wonderful! I'm so excited because my 15 yr. old DD just started this program with me and she wants to lose 30 lbs. How long as it taken you to lose this weight? Can you give a sample menu so I can pass it on to her! Great job and keep it up!
Kimmer says she turns away teens, but it's clear from the above example that teens are not only welcome, but cheered by both staff and members.
For those interested in the disagreements between Deni and her cousin, Deni maintains the blog . Her cousin maintain the blog .
Somehow the two seem to forget the telephone may be a better option for communication between them than the comment sections in their blogs. But hey, the dirty laundry is airing out, so go take a peek.
