Open placebos show surprising promise in managing children's weight

Researchers are exploring a new approach to help overweight children and teenagers manage their appetite—using open placebos. These are pills with no active ingredients, but patients know exactly what they are taking. Early studies suggest they could play a role in weight regulation alongside diet and exercise.

In one trial, participants who took a placebo-declared pill while following a diet and exercise plan lost more weight than those who only dieted and exercised. The effect was modest, with an average loss of around 3.3 kg over 48 weeks, but it showed that awareness of taking a placebo did not eliminate its potential impact.

Another experiment found that children given an open placebo reported fewer cravings for sugary snacks after viewing images of food. Similarly, adults who drank a milkshake they believed was high-calorie felt fuller, even though all shakes were identical. This suggests that expectations alone can influence feelings of satiety. Placebos may also help reduce the yo-yo effect that often follows the use of appetite suppressants. By triggering positive expectations, they could activate the brain's self-healing responses, boosting hormone release. However, responses vary—some people benefit, while others see little change. Anne Schienle, a clinical psychologist at the University of Graz, sees promise in this method for young people. She highlights that even simple interventions, like informing cleaning staff about the calories burned during work, led to an average weight loss of one kilogram over four weeks without further lifestyle changes. Those with a positive view of complementary medicine also tend to respond better to placebos.

Open placebos offer a low-risk option for supporting weight management in children and adolescents. While the effects are not dramatic, studies indicate they could complement traditional methods like diet and exercise. Further research will determine how best to apply this approach in real-world settings.