Diet Market Worth $60.9 Billion in U.S. Last Year,
But Growth Is Flat, Due To The Recession
Tampa FL, May 5, 2011: Marketdata Enterprises, Inc., a leading independent market research publisher
of “off-the-shelf” studies about service industries since 1979, has released its biennial 412-page study:
The U.S. Weight Loss & Diet Control Market (11th edition). This is a complete analysis and forecast of ALL
“America’s estimated 75 million dieters—about 80% of whom try to lose weight by themselves, are fickle
and shift from fad to fad. These shifts in dieter preferences spell boom or bust for diet companies. American
dieters in 2009-2010 were faced with a lousy economy, rising gas prices, and limited discretionary dollars for
weight loss programs. Consequently, they are spending their weight loss dollars very carefully.”, according to
Market Value… Marketdata estimates that the total U.S. weight loss market grew less than 1% in 2010, as
most market segments were flat or marginally up. Revenues were $60.9 billion in 2010, and $60.4 billion in
2009, (up 3.2% from $58.6 billion in 2008).
Frugal Dieters… 2009 – 2010 were the years of the “value diet” and the frugal dieter. Dieters shifted
toward greater use of free and low-cost do-it-yourself diet plans, (diet websites, OTC diet pills, meal
replacements and diet books). Marketdata finds that the share of dieters that prefer a self-directed program
was 80% during 2010— near the highest ever. Typically, 70% of dieters use a self-directed plan, but this
share was even higher due to the recession.
Commercial weight loss chains… Sales of all commercial weight loss chains grew about 2% in 2010.
Marketdata analysts estimate 3.3% growth for the top eight commercial chains, to $2.73 billion in 2010.
Adding revenues for all other small local commercial weight loss centers, this segment is forecast to be worth
$ 3.14 billion. Weight Watchers came out as the big winner for late 2010/early 2011.
Diet Drugs… No blockbusters yet. 2009-2010 proved tough for this market, as the FDA denied approval for
Lorcaserin, Qnexa, and Contrave, following on the heels of the 2008 rejection of Taranabant and
Acomplia.There is still plenty of R&D taking place, but drug companies and the medical community are
realizing that developing an effective diet drug with no significant side effects is more difficult than they
Retail Diet Pills & Meal Replacements… The bad economy and tighter consumer weight loss budgets
should have helped this “do-it-yourself” category. However, one of the top-selling brands, Hydroxycut, was
taken off the market by a more active FDA. Meal replacements and MLM channels are currently holding up
best. Dieters are attracted by the low price and easy availability. Marketdata estimates that the combined
sales of diet pills and meal replacements was down about 2% to $2.69 billion last year. To 2014, Marketdata
forecasts 3.3% annual gains in sales of meal replacements and OTC diet pills sales. By 2014, the combined
Medical Programs… Of the 4,900 U.S. community hospitals, approximately 60% offer some form of
weight loss program. However, medical clinic chains are where the recent growth has taken place, One of the
biggest recent success stories in the medically supervised programs segment is The Centers for Medical
Weight Loss, which has grown from 60 centers in 2007 to more than 450 currently. Medi-Weightloss has also
displayed strong growth via franchising.
Dieter Trends… The typical American dieter now makes 4 weight loss attempts per year—the highest
Diet Websites… Online dieting was estimated to be an $842 million market in 2009 – down a sharp 17%.
But, revenues are recovering and we expect 8% yearly growth to 2014. Most sites are not profitable and are
moving to a user-free, ad-supported model. WeightWatchers.com is #1, with 1+ million paid subscribers and
Diet Food Home Delivery Services…. This is a $924 million sub-segment of the weight loss market that,
aside from NutriSystem, seems to have held up well. NutriSystem captures 55% of sales, but smaller firms
are growing faster by serving an affluent, or health conscious client with fresh or frozen gourmet food.
“Flat is the new growth, as the U.S. weight loss market grew less than 1% in 2010. Most market
segments were flat or down as dieters postponed signing up with structured commercial
programs, or surgery. Three potential new prescription obesity drugs didn’t gain approval and a
top OTC diet pill was taken off the market.”, according to Research Director, John LaRosa.
Following are Marketdata’s estimates for the major segments of the U.S. weight loss market: ($ billions)
Source: Marketdata estimates and forecasts
Editor’s Note: The U.S. Weight Loss & Diet Control Market, published in May 2011, is an independently researched “off-
the-shelf” study. The study is 412 pages in length and contains 160 tables/charts and 30+ in-depth competitor profiles. It
costs $2,295 and is also sold by individual chapters at lower cost. Available in digital or print format. A free table of contents is
available by mail, email or fax. Contact: Marketdata Enterprises, Inc., Regents Park Drive, Suite 120, Tampa, FL 33647, (813)
907-9090. John LaRosa is available for interviews.
A 42 pp. Overview of major findings is available to the public for $79, at: www.marketdataenterprises.com.
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