By Andrea Hargraves 
New one Weight loss A device that uses magnets to prevent a person’s jaw from opening enough to eat solid food is designed to combat the “global obesity epidemic”.
The tool developed by researchers from united kingdom The University of Otago in New Zealand, uses magnetic devices with unique, specially designed locking screws that attach to the upper and lower molars.
“Researchers from Otago and the UK have developed the world’s first weight loss device to fight the global obesity epidemic: an intraoral device that limits a person to a liquid diet,” the university wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
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The device known as DentalSlim Diet Control allows the user to open their mouth only 1/5 of an inch (2 mm) while the user can still breathe normally. It was initially tested on seven healthy women from Dunedin, New Zealand, for two weeks, according to an article in the journal Friday. British Journal of Dentistry.
Of the seven women who took part in the study, they lost an average of 6.36 kg – about 5.1% of their body weight. Participants said they were satisfied with the results and excited about losing the extra weight.
They also complained of occasional discomfort, noting that “life in general was less fulfilling.” One participant even admitted that he “cheated” by eating melted chocolate and soft drinks.
“Participants had difficulty saying a few words and felt nervous and embarrassed ‘only sometimes,'” the article said.
Senior researcher Paul Brunton of the University of Otago described the device as “an effective, safe and affordable tool for obese people.” According to a press release from the University.
“The main obstacle for people to lose weight successfully is commitment, and this helps them form new habits and stick to a low-calorie diet for a period of time. This really starts the process,” Brunton said. “It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgery.”
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However, the online tool has been criticized by some who have compared it to a “medieval torture device”.
“A world first and a world first, I sincerely hope. This is a torture device and you should be ashamed to promote it, let alone be associated with it,” one user wrote.
Another replied, “You don’t need this torture device to be on a liquid diet.”
In response, the university announced on Monday tweet: “To be clear, the device is not intended to be an aid to rapid or long-term weight loss. Rather, it is intended to assist people who are going to have surgery and who cannot have the operation until they lose weight.”
“After two or three weeks, you can release the magnet and [the] The device has been removed. You can then have a period of a less restrictive diet and then go back to treatment,” the university added. This will allow a gradual approach to weight loss supported by the advice of a nutritionist.