Table 2 Summary of users’ qualitative responses for reasons, expectations, experiences and steps taken to ensure quality of the product, presented in decreasing order of frequency

Reasons

Effective/fast fat loss as the ultimate goal

20

Effective/fast fat loss to enable working toward the ultimate goal

4

Curiosity

4

Image enhancement

2

Increase calorie intake without consequences on weight

1

Shortcut

1

Recommendation

1

Expectations

Positive outcome

13

Specific side effects

6

Mixed positive outcome and generic unpleasant experience

5

Mixed positive outcome and specific unpleasant experience, including death

3

General unpleasant experience

2

Nonspecific responses

2

Ensuring quality

Trust and reputation of the dealer/retailer

16

Self-experimentation

7

Analytical testing

6

None

4

Visual examination

2

Experiences

Weight loss and side effects were as expected

16

Reality adjustment

4

Negative experience with side-effects

3