U.S. retail sales of the weight management products and services will reach $38.0 billion in 2013 and $40.9 billion in 2016
March 18/Rockville, Md./Marketwire -- U.S. retail sales of the weight management products and services -- including foods and beverages, meal replacements and diet aids, and commercial weight management programs -- will reach $38.0 billion in 2013 and $40.9 billion in 2016, according to "Weight Management Trends in the U.S.," a just-released report from Packaged Facts. Foods and beverages represent the largest share of sales, at almost 80%. Over the past five years, nonetheless, sales of weight management foods and beverages have been on a declining trend -- despite, or maybe because of -- the nation's continuing weight problem.
Obesity has reached crisis levels in the United States. Almost 70% of adults and almost 32% of school-age children and adolescents are either overweight or obese, according to the latest government statistics. Between 1988 and 2008, the prevalence of obesity increased by 48% among adults and more than 72% among children and teenagers. Moreover, according to Simmons panel data from Experian Marketing Services, almost 39% of all U.S. adults, representing 87.8 million consumers, currently are watching their diet to either lose or maintain their weight.