Weight Control Products & Services

US demand to grow 6.9% per year through 2008

Demand for weight control products and services in the US will advance 6.9 percent annually to over $21 billion in 2008. Weight control products are projected to generate demand of $12 billion in 2008, which will represent an average annual gain of 6.3 percent from 2003.

Based on aging demographic patterns and an increasing incidence of chronic medical conditions, parenteral and enteral nutritional preparations will continue to generate the largest share of demand among weight control products. The same factors, together with the ongoing introduction of specialized nutritionals for diabetic, cancer and other chronic care patients, will impact favorably on growth opportunities for meal supplements. Meal replacements will also benefit from the introduction of new high value-added offerings, especially in the area of low carb health bars and beverages.

Shaken up by the recent FDA ban on ephedra, demand for weight loss dietary supplements will remain volatile over the ext few years as new reformulated preparations vie for market share in a very competitive environment. By contrast, prescription weight control pharmaceuticals will sustain more stable demand patterns from rising applications in the treatment of obesity, anorexia nervosa and other weight-related conditions.

Services to rise 7.7% per annum through 2008

The weight control services segment (excluding health clubs) is projected to ad-vance 7.7 percent annually to $9.2 billion in 2008. Growth will reflect a greater number of program memberships attributable to an aging and increasingly health conscious population, stepped up efforts by medical professionals to combat the overweight epidemic, and aggressive marketing tactics implemented by weight control program operators.

Medically supervised programs will continue to be the largest category among non-surgical weight control services, reflecting staff credentials and expertise,expertise, breadth of services and better overall results. Total revenues generated by these programs will increase 7.6 percent annually to $3.3 billion in 2008.

Upward trends in severe obesity conditions, coupled with many patients who are unresponsive to normal dieting techniques, will promote rapid growth in the number of weight loss (or bariatric) surgical procedures. In 2008, a projected 200,000 of these procedures will be performed in the US, up 10.2 percent annually from 2003.

In 2003, non-medically supervised weight loss programs will advance 5.2 percent annually to $2.1 billion in 2008. Growth will be based on establishments adding new products and services and attracting more overweight individuals unable to lose desired pounds without professional help.

Study coverage

This new Freedonia study, Weight Control Products & Services. It presents historical demand data (1993, 1998, 2003) and forecasts to 2008 and 2013 by type and application. The study also evaluates market share and profiles major firms.